TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average fell to a three-week closing low on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of a serious of key events this week, including policy meetings by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan and U.S. jobs data.

But losses were capped by gains in index heavyweight Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T: Quote, Profile, Research), which climbed 3.7 percent after the Nikkei daily said the operator of casual clothing chain Uniqlo should see sales top 1 trillion yen in the year ending August 2013, up 7.6 percent from its estimate of 929.50 billion yen in the last financial year.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average fell to a three-week closing low on Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of a serious of key events this week, including policy meetings by the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan and U.S. jobs data.

But losses were capped by gains in index heavyweight Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which climbed 3.7 percent after the Nikkei daily said the operator of casual clothing chain Uniqlo should see sales top 1 trillion yen ($12.8 billion) in the year ending August 2013, up 7.6 percent from its estimate of 929.50 billion yen in the last financial year.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei slipped on Tuesday on concerns over company earnings after a handful of firms cut forecasts, but losses were capped by gains in mobile operator Softbank Corp after its purchase of a smaller rival.

The Nikkei .N225 eased 0.1 percent to 8,786.05, hitting a three-week closing low for a second day in a row.

TOKYO, Oct 1 (Reuters) – Benchmark 10-year Japanese
government bonds drifted higher on Monday, with the yield
hitting a seven-week low, as weak economic data boosted the
appeal of fixed income at the expense of riskier assets.

But superlong Japanese government bonds underperformed on
supply concerns ahead of a liquidity-enhancing auction the next
day, as well as ahead of a regular auction of 30-year bonds next
week and one for 20-year debt the week after.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan Nikkei share average fell to its lowest level in nearly three weeks on Monday, extending the previous session’s drop, after profit warnings from Nippon Yusen KK (9101.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Daido Steel Co Ltd (5471.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) underscored concerns over slowing global growth.

Economic data was also weak. Manufacturing activity in China, Japan’s biggest exports market, remained in contraction after its official purchasing managers index for September came in at 49.8, in line with expectations.

TOKYO, Sept 28 (Reuters) – Benchmark 10-year Japanese
government bonds rose on Friday in month-ending bargain hunting,
with the yield hitting a seven-week low, shrugging off debt
negative news of Spain’s new economic reform plans and a tough
budget to cut spending.

The 10-year yield slipped 1.5 basis points to
0.765 percent, and lost 6.5 basis points in July-September after
falling 15.5 basis points in the previous quarter, its best
quarterly decline in two years.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average hit a two-week closing low on Friday as concerns about falling revenues for Japanese companies in China outweighed optimism over Spain’s new economic reform plans and a tough budget focused on spending cuts.

A territorial spat between Asia’s two biggest economies has led to rising anti-Japanese sentiment in China, which has forced some Japanese firms to halt production there, adding to concern of a sharp slowdown in China.

TOKYO (Reuters) – The Nikkei average shed 1.6 percent on Thursday, giving up the previous session’s sharp gain, as lacklustre Chinese manufacturing data reinforced concerns over flagging demand in Japan’s largest trading partner.

Companies with heavy exposure to China took a beating after the HSBC Flash China manufacturing purchasing managers’ index only ticked up to 47.8 in September from a nine-month low in August of 47.6, with few signs of a fast turnaround as the sector remained in contraction.

TOKYO (Reuters) – The Nikkei average shed 1.6 percent on Thursday, giving up the previous session’s sharp gain, as lackluster Chinese manufacturing data reinforced concerns over flagging demand in Japan’s largest trading partner.

Companies with heavy exposure to China took a beating after the HSBC Flash China manufacturing purchasing managers’ index only ticked up to 47.8 in September from a nine-month low in August of 47.6, with few signs of a fast turnaround as the sector remained in contraction.

TOKYO (Reuters) – The Nikkei average hit a four-month closing high on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan eased monetary policy to bolster an export-driven economy that’s struggling with sluggish global demand and fallout from a territorial dispute with China, Japan’s biggest trading partner.

On the heels of another round of stimulus by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the BOJ said it would expand its asset buying and loan programme by 10 trillion yen to 80 trillion yen.