1.   Japanese investors repatriating capital from abroad convert the foreign-currency proceeds they get into yen.

2.   Such pressure is likely to grow as Japanese investors and exporters repatriate capital before the end of their fiscal year at the end of March.

3.   The dollar fell against other major currencies amid concern that plunging Japanese stock prices could spur Japanese investors to repatriate capital.

4.   The slowdown may be sharper this year as investors recognise the riskiness of these markets while earthquake reconstruction gives Japanese an additional reason to repatriate capital.

5.   More than a traditional bond, the issue of six-month paper was used as an instrument for repatriating capital.

6.   But a number of Arab economists have said that fears raised by the unprecedented attacks on New York and Washington could prompt Arab investors to repatriate capital invested abroad.

7.   The yen firmed early on Thursday after Japanese investors, who traditionally repatriate their capital at this time of year, converted their holdings of foreign currencies into yen.

8.   Japanese capital could be repatriated from abroad as a result and the United States would be the worst affected by such a move, he said.

9.   The fall in the Nikkei has averted fears that Japanese investors are about to repatriate their capital to mop up losses on the national market, Gallagher said.