TOKYO -- Share prices rose moderately Thursday after the opening of the Tokyo Stock Exchange was delayed by 30 minutes for a second day in response to Tuesday's terror attacks against the United States. The dollar was moderately higher against the yen.
The benchmark 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 53.83 points, or 0.56 percent, moving to 9,663.93 in the first 30 minutes of trading. On Wednesday, the Nikkei shed 682.85 points, or 6.6 percent, to close at 9,610.10 - its lowest finish since Dec. 19, 1983, when it ended at 9,484.17.
The dollar bought 119.68 yen in early trading, up 0.30 yen from late Wednesday in Tokyo and also above its late New York level of 119.52 yen.
Traders said the Nikkei posted moderate gains in early trading in reaction to Wednesday's sharp drop, but investor sentiment remained weak amid uncertainties about the near future of U.S. financial markets.
The broader Tokyo Stock Price Index rose 3.40 points, or 0.34 percent, to 994.20 Thursday. The TOPIX closed down 67.32 points, or 6.36 percent, on Wednesday.
Besides trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange starting at 9:30 a.m. (0030 GMT), 30 minutes later than normal for the second straight day, the exchange also said that price fluctuation ranges would also be restricted to half of the ordinary amount as a precautionary step to keep market activity under control. A similar step was taken Wednesday.
Financial ministers and central bank governors from the Group of Seven leading industrial countries said Wednesday they were committed to ensure that the attacks wouldn't disrupt the world's economy.
In a statement issued by the Italian Economy Ministry on Wednesday, the G-7 said developments in the economy and financial markets would be monitored closely and that they stood ''ready to take further action if necessary.''
In Washington, President George W. Bush branded Tuesday's attacks in New York and Washington as ''acts of war'' and braced a shaken nation for a long fight against the terrorists who orchestrated them. The manhunt took investigators from Florida to Canada and along the Internet.
In currencies, the dollar rebounded after sliding in the aftermath of the terror attacks.
The euro was traded at 108.38 yen, up from 108.20 yen late Wednesday in Tokyo.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond was unquoted in early trading. On Wednesday, it settled at 1.4300 percent and its price stood at 99.73.
On the Net:
Tokyo Stock Exchange: http://www.tse.or.jp
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