41.   In the currencies market, the dollar edged higher against the yen after a top Japanese finance official expressed wariness over further yen strength.

42.   Investors are also wary of buying yen after a senior Japanese finance ministry official said that a strong yen is not desirable.

43.   It is headed by Toyoo Gyohten, formerly in charge of international affairs at the Japanese finance ministry.

44.   Japanese finance officials have urged banks to take advantage of the cash pool.

45.   Japanese finance officials Saturday tempered media reports on the imminent demise of the massive brokerage, saying Yamaichi had not yet decided whether to cease operations.

46.   Japanese finance officials are considering putting a major lender, Nippon Credit Bank Ltd., under state control after judging the bank is insolvent, media reports said Friday.

47.   Japanese finance officials are considering putting a major lender, Nippon Credit Bank Ltd., under state control.

48.   Kiichi Miyazawa, the Japanese finance minister, said Sunday that the monetary cooperation would lead to a stronger region.

49.   Last year, four major Japanese finance institutions collapsed under a heap of bad debts.

50.   LTCB was once a symbol of Japanese finance, providing long-term loans to industry as Japan began its economic ascent from the ashes of World War II.