51.   Tokyo share prices fell sharply Thursday as slumping construction issues dampened overall sentiment.

52.   Traders said weakness in the semiconductor and auto sectors dampened overall sentiment on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

53.   While analysts acknowledged that the market was due for a technical rebound, they also cautioned that the overall market sentiment was still bearish.

54.   Further eroding Tokyo stocks was the continuous decline in the Sony scrip price, which dampened overall market sentiment, brokers said.

55.   He added that overall sentiment was positive and a rally was expected soon.

56.   However, they said selling pressure on finance and construction stocks dented overall sentiment.

57.   However the news did little to lift overall market sentiment, he said.

58.   In Japan, according to analysts, the downward trend of property prices has been slowing recently, but overall sentiment remains sluggish.

59.   ABN AMRO Asia Securities head of local research Poranee Thongyen said gains in Thai Airways International also provided support to overall sentiment.

60.   But overall market sentiment remained dollar-negative, dealers said.