51.   In Tokyo, the Nikkei stock average was supported by futures-led buying and bargain hunting by institutional investors, brokers said.

52.   In Tokyo, the Nikkei stock average was supported by high bidding at a central Tokyo land auction the previous day, brokers said.

53.   Japanese share prices closed marginally lower on Thursday with the Nikkei stock average lifted off its earlier lows by steady bargain-hunting, brokers said.

54.   Japanese share prices edged upward on Friday, with the Nikkei stock average supported by renewed futures-linked buying and light bargain-hunting, brokers said.

55.   Japanese share prices closed fractionally lower Friday with the Nikkei stock average helped recoup some of earlier losses by futures-linked buying.

56.   Japanese share prices closed marginally higher Wednesday with the Nikkei stock average aided by revived buying in the final hour of trading, brokers said.

57.   Japanese share prices closed marginally lower on Tuesday, with the Nikkei stock average pressured by modest profit-taking after five straight days of gains, brokers said.

58.   Japanese share prices edged up on Wednesday in thin trading, with the Nikkei stock average supported by moderate buying by foreign and institutional investors, brokers said.

59.   Japanese share prices closed one percent lower on Wednesday, with the Nikkei stock average facing downward pressure from the unwinding of long futures positions, brokers said.

60.   Japanese share prices ended mixed on Thursday, with the Nikkei stock average rising on futures-led gains but the broader market finishing lower, brokers said.