This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7694427.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Japan stocks rise in late rally Japan stocks rise in late rally
(30 minutes later)
Japan's Nikkei index has rallied by more than 5% in late trading, after earlier falling below the 7,000 mark for the first time in 26 years. Japan's Nikkei index staged a late rally on Tuesday to close up 6.4%, having earlier fallen below the 7,000 mark for the first time in 26 years.
Share prices across Asia initially lost ground again on opening, following volatile trading throughout the world. Authorities said that to stabilise markets they would bring forward a ban on traders selling shares that they do not already own and have not borrowed.
Tokyo authorities said that in an attempt to stabilise markets they will bring forward a ban on traders selling shares that they do not already own. The Nikkei 225 index closed up 459.02 points at 7,621.92.
There were also gains in the markets in Hong Kong and South Korea. Exporters were helped by a sharp fall in the value of the Japanese yen against the US dollar.
Korea's Kospi index initially dropped 2.6%, but later rose to finish 5% up on the day. The yen has been appreciating against the dollar recently, but on Tuesday its value fell to 95.51 yen to the dollar from 93.01.
In Hong Kong, shares ended the morning up 6.1%, although traders said this was to be expected after a 12.7% plunge on Monday. Asian gains
The yen fell sharply against the dollar and the euro. Share prices across Asia had initially lost ground again on opening, following volatile trading throughout the world.
Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa told reporters the ban on naked short-selling, which had been due to come into force on 4 November, would be brought forward. South Korea's Kospi index initially dropped 2.6%, but later rose to finish 5% up on the day.
In Hong Kong, shares ended the morning up 6.1%, clawing back some of the losses from Monday's 12.7% decline.
Early ban
Japan's Finance Minister Shoichi Nakagawa told reporters that the ban on naked short-selling, which had been due to come into force on 4 November, would be brought forward.
Naked short selling involves making a deal to sell shares that you do not own and relying on being able to buy the shares before the deal has to be settled.Naked short selling involves making a deal to sell shares that you do not own and relying on being able to buy the shares before the deal has to be settled.
It is done by traders who hope that the price of the shares will fall between the sale and the purchase of the shares, allowing them to pocket the difference.It is done by traders who hope that the price of the shares will fall between the sale and the purchase of the shares, allowing them to pocket the difference.
The announcement follows similar moves by governments in the US, Australia and Europe.The announcement follows similar moves by governments in the US, Australia and Europe.
"I decided on the measure because these few days will be critical and stock exchanges are facing risks unless we take quick action," said Mr Nakagawa."I decided on the measure because these few days will be critical and stock exchanges are facing risks unless we take quick action," said Mr Nakagawa.
"Japan was easily under pressure from other sources and that is why is was important to change the rules to US and European standards.""Japan was easily under pressure from other sources and that is why is was important to change the rules to US and European standards."
Yen warning Meanwhile Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso has said he will delay calling a general election in order to handle the economic crisis, according to the Kyodo news agency.
The US and Europe ended lower on Monday amid a growing belief that key economies are heading into recession. Mr Aso, who took office a month ago, had been widely expected to call an early election to address the deep divisions in the Japanese parliament.
European shares
Stock markets in the US and Europe ended lower on Monday amid a growing belief that key economies are heading into recession.
On Wall Street, the main Dow Jones index fell 2.42%, despite being boosted earlier in the day by a surprise rise in new home sales in September.On Wall Street, the main Dow Jones index fell 2.42%, despite being boosted earlier in the day by a surprise rise in new home sales in September.
The FTSE 100 in London closed down 0.79%, the Cac 40 in Paris ended down 3.96% but the Dax in Frankfurt was up 0.91%.The FTSE 100 in London closed down 0.79%, the Cac 40 in Paris ended down 3.96% but the Dax in Frankfurt was up 0.91%.
Earlier the FTSE had fallen 5.6% to 3,665 points - its lowest level since April 2003.Earlier the FTSE had fallen 5.6% to 3,665 points - its lowest level since April 2003.
On the currency markets, Japan's yen has fallen back slightly after reaching a 13-year high against the US dollar on Monday.
That rise came despite warnings from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations that the currency's strength was a threat to economic stability.
Mr Nakagawa said he would "continue to watch currency markets with great interest", while a government spokesman said they would consider whether there were "further effective measures" to be taken.
Economics Minister Kaoru Yosano told a news conference that the yen's rise was "astounding" but did not reflect Japan's economic fundamentals.
Meanwhile Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso has said he will delay calling a general election in order to handle the economic crisis, according to Kyodo news agency.
Mr Aso, who took office a month ago, had been widely expected to call an early election to address the deep divisions in the Japanese parliament.