1.   Anglo American Platinum Corp., the largest producer of platinum in the world, said it expects Japanese purchases of platinum for jewelry fabrication to decline this year.

2.   Another Wall Street Journal interactive edition story cited concern that Japanese purchases of U.S. assets may slow, which could push interest rates higher.

3.   Another Wall Street Journal interactive edition story cited concerns that Japanese purchases of U.S. assets may slow, which could help push interest rates higher.

4.   At the same time, Japanese net purchases of foreign bonds declined.

5.   At the same time, the eight companies said they have no plans to significantly increase Japanese stock purchases because of the vague outlook for stock prices.

6.   But they have objected to American requests that targets be set for additional Japanese purchases of parts for the assembly of new cars.

7.   Japanese purchases of Treasury securities surged in the first three quarters of the year, according to the Treasury.

8.   Japan narrowly avoided steep U.S. punitive tariffs on luxury cars after agreeing to measures designed to boost Japanese purchases of American autos and auto parts.

9.   Other analysts argued that a slowdown in Japanese purchases would not have a major impact.

10.   Such a package was to include Japanese purchases of American autos and auto parts, insurance, telecommunications equipment and medical technology.