11.   Japanese traders blame the decline on Hong Kong.

12.   Stock traders blamed a weak showing by Nikkei-index futures for taking the cash market lower.

13.   The Nikkei ended lower after a topsy-turvy session, and traders blamed Kyoei Life Insurance Co. for cooling investor enthusiasm.

14.   The Nikkei ended lower after a topsy-turvy session, and traders blamed the collapse of Kyoei Life Insurance Co. for cooling investor enthusiasm.

15.   There, traders also blamed the Dow Jones fall and fears that the Long-Term Capital Management bailout indicates that other U.S. institutions may be sitting on bad news.

16.   Traders blame forecasts of higher production at a time when demand is sluggish.

17.   Traders blamed gloomy consumption prospects and the improving crop outlook in the key West African producing region for driving down the market.

18.   Traders there also blamed the Dow Jones fall and fears that the Long-Term Capital Management bailout indicates that other U.S. institutions may be sitting on bad news.

19.   Traders also blamed investor caution ahead of more corporate earnings announcements for the early weakness in Tokyo stocks.

20.   Traders blamed the announcement by the national electric company, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, that it lost money over the past fiscal year.