TOKYO (Reuters) – The Nikkei share average rose on Tuesday on speculation that China, Japan’s largest export market, may soon launch a stimulus programme to avoid a sharp slowdown, with China-related stocks benefiting the most.

“The talk of a stimulus package in China has caused the whole of Asia to rally,” a senior dealer at a European brokerage said.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average steadied on Monday after marking eight straight weeks of declines last week, although chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp (6723.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) plunged after sources said it was planning to raise $1.3 billion to fund restructuring.

Renesas sank more than 11 percent to a record low on the news, which also sent NEC Corp (6701.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), one of its parent companies, tumbling.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average steadied on Friday, supported by investors buying defensive stocks such as pharmaceuticals and food, as well as battered shares, although the index was poised to extend its run of weekly losses to the longest in 20 years.

The Nikkei .N225 has fallen 16.5 percent since hitting a one-year peak on March 27 on worries over slowing global growth and a deepening euro zone debt crisis. Technical indicators show the benchmark is deep in “oversold” territory.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average dipped on Thursday, extending the previous session’s sharp fall as investors remained skittish of a disorderly Greek exit from the euro zone, though U.S. stocks erased losses to end flat to higher, supporting sentiment.

The Nikkei .N225 was down 0.3 percent at 8,532.05 by the midday break, and is down 0.9 percent for the week. If the benchmark were to end the week lower it would mark an eighth straight week of losses, its longest such run since 1992.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average shed 2 percent on Wednesday to a four-month closing low as exporters took a beating on a firmer yen after the Bank of Japan’s latest statement raised doubt about its commitment to easing monetary policy.

The BOJ dropped from its latest statement a line that the central bank will pursue powerful monetary easing, saying instead it will conduct appropriate policy, sending the yen higher against the dollar.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average rose 1.1 percent on Tuesday, extending the previous session’s technical rebound as investors picked up cheaper stocks after last week’s sharp sell-off, triggered by concern over a deepening euro zone debt crisis.

The Nikkei .N225 closed up 95.40 points at 8,729.29, holding just below its five-day moving average of 8,730.45, as exporters gained a foothold on the steadying yen and investors picked up stocks that were heavily sold off last week.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average rose on Monday, recovering from sharp falls in the previous session, as a call from world leaders for Greece to remain in the euro zone and for Europe to balance austerity with growth helped ease investor worries.

The Nikkei .N225 advanced 0.3 percent to 8,633.94 in the morning session after sliding 3 percent on Friday to log a seventh straight week of losses, its longest such run since the third quarter of 2001.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average shed 3 percent on Friday to log a seventh straight week of losses, its longest such run since the third quarter of 2001, as investors sold stocks and other risky assets on concerns over slowing global growth and a deepening euro zone crisis.

The Nikkei fell 265.28 points to 8,611.31, taking its decline to 16 percent since hitting a one-year high on March 27. Should the benchmark extend losses next week, to around 8,200, it would technically enter a bear market.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei average fell on Wednesday as investors cut exposure to risky assets after the failure of Greek politicians to form a government raised the prospect leftists opposed to bailout terms could win new elections in June.

Gains in Japan’s top banks, after they forecast earnings above market expectations, lent support to the Japanese market.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s Nikkei share average fell to a 3-1/2 month closing low on Tuesday, weighed down by exporters with exposure to Europe after Greece struggled to form a coalition government, increasing fears that it may have to leave the euro zone.

The Nikkei closed down 0.8 percent at 8,900.74, although it pulled back from the lowest intraday level since the beginning of February in the afternoon session, with traders suspecting the Bank of Japan of purchasing exchange-traded funds to support the market.