61.   But buying of blue-chip electrical, auto and telecommunications issues pushed the key indexes higher, traders said.

62.   But buying of some high technology issues and major department store stocks pushed the index into positive territory before the end of the morning session.

63.   Brokers attributed the rise to buying of red chips, stocks listed in Hong Kong but controlled by mainland Chinese companies.

64.   But after a round of selling, later buying of construction issues and banking and non-life insurance stocks outpaced selling, traders said.

65.   But buying of electronics shares reversed the course toward the morning close.

66.   But buying of blue chips toward the morning close by foreign investors reversed the course in moderate trading, traders said.

67.   But buying of bank issues reversed the course as players welcomed reported merger talks between a major Japanese trust bank and a major commercial bank.

68.   But it later gained back into positive territory on buying of major auto issues and airline stocks, including Toyota Motor, Honda Motor and Japan Airlines.

69.   But the average later moved into positive territory on buying of some major communications issues, which have fallen recently.

70.   But the Nikkei moved into positive territory in the afternoon on buying of some major technology issues, including Sony.