1.   Analysts said a plunge in the value of high-tech blue chips and pessimism about possible new economic stimulus steps were the key reasons.

2.   Bank of Japan Governor Masaru Hayami has said that whoever is appointed as prime minister, the top priority is to swiftly implement banking reforms and economic stimulus steps.

3.   Government ministers met early Wednesday to discuss new economic stimulus steps, but did not reach any concrete decisions.

4.   Meanwhile, there were growing expectations that Parliament will hold an extra session in December to pass additional economic stimulus steps, traders said.

5.   The advance was buoyed by hopes new economic stimulus steps will be proposed by the Japanese government.

6.   The U.S. dollar rose against the yen in Tokyo on Friday despite an indication from a top Japanese economic official that the government may consider new stimulus steps.

7.   Tokyo stock prices rebounded in early trading Tuesday on optimism the Japanese government will come up with new stimulus steps to boost the economy.

8.   Tokyo stock prices rebounded in morning trading Tuesday on optimism the Japanese government will come up with new stimulus steps to boost the slumping economy.

9.   Tokyo stock prices rebounded slightly in trading Tuesday on optimism the Japanese government will come up with new stimulus steps to boost the slumping economy.

10.   Traders expect the dollar will remain in a narrow range against the yen they are waiting for the release of fresh stimulus steps later this week.