1.   But share prices later inched higher on unconfirmed market talks that the government will raise the ceiling on foreign stock investment in two state-owned corporations.

2.   The U.S. dollar was lower at late afternoon Friday in Tokyo against the Japanese yen despite unconfirmed market rumors of central bank dollar-buying intervention.

3.   The U.S. dollar was lower in late morning trading Friday in Tokyo against the Japanese yen despite unconfirmed market rumors of central bank dollar-buying intervention.

4.   The U.S. dollar was lower in mid afternoon trading Friday in Tokyo against the Japanese yen despite unconfirmed market rumors of central bank dollar-buying intervention.