Tokyo - Japan's trade surplus in the six months from April to September hit the lowest mark in more than 26 years as high energy prices pushed up import costs and slowed exports amid the global financial crisis, the Finance Ministry said Thursday.

Tokyo - Japan markets continued their losing streak Thursday, plummeting to a five-year low following Wall Street's overnight losses and a stronger yen dimming export prospects.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average tumbled 478.95 points, or 5.52 per cent, to 8,195.74. The key index lost more than 7 per cent at one point during morning trading to hit the lowest intraday level since late May 2003.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues also fell 42.91 points, or 4.83 per cent, to 846.32.

Tokyo , Oct 22 : Japan today appeared non-committal on civil nuclear cooperation with India even as the two countries agreed that atomic power could play an important role as a sustainable and non-polluting source of energy in meeting the growing global demands.

Tokyo - Japanese electronics company NEC Corp lowered its earnings estimates for the full year through March as slowing markets caused sluggish sales of its computers and mobile phones.

Tokyo - India wants to increase exports to Japan and for the East Asian economic giant to invest more in its businesses, it was announced Wednesday at the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told business leaders in Tokyo that he hoped the agreement would boost exports of Indian goods and services to Japan through the removal of tariff barriers.

Singh, who is on a three-day visit, planned to sign a bilateral agreement with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso later in the day on strategic security cooperation as well as trade and economic issues to strengthen partnership relations.

Tokyo, Oct. 22: In a move that could change the geopolitical dynamics of Asia, both India and Japan have decided to create a comprehensive framework for the enhancement of security cooperation.

It will include a fight against terrorism and transnational crimes, safety of transport, cooperation between coast guards and information exchange and policy coordination on regional affairs in the Asia Pacific region and on long-term strategic and global issues.

It was also agreed that bilateral consultation would be conducted to promote counter-terrorism cooperation through joint working group between the relevant government offices including the ministries of foreign affairs.