21.   Precision instrument makers such as Nikon Corp. and electronics companies like Canon Inc. dropped as investors bet they would be hurt by the stronger yen.

22.   Precision instrument makers such as Nikon Corp. and electronics companies like Canon Inc. dropped as investors judged the companies will be hurt by the stronger yen.

23.   Precision instrument makers, such as Nikon Corp., and steelmakers fell while brokerage and aviation shares rose.

24.   Precision instrument shares continued to lead the market.

25.   Precision instrument and electronics manufacturer stocks were among the biggest gainers, led by chipmaking companies such as Toshiba Corp. and Nikon Corp.

26.   Precision instrument makers such as Olympus Optical, Minolta Co. and Asahi Optical Co. led gainers.

27.   Procter, for one, has licensed software for controlling some manufacturing processes to Metler Toledo, which makes precision instruments.

28.   Shares of precision instrument producers such as Rohm Co. and Nikon Corp., as well as wholesale trading companies were also big advancers on the Topix index.

29.   Shares of semiconductor equipment makers and other precision instrument manufacturers such as Canon Inc., along with other electronics producers, were among leading advancers.

30.   Stocks were led higher by shares of Nikon Corp. and Ricoh Corp. along with other precision instrument manufacturers, many of which are involved in the production of semiconductors.