Japan stock market week to Dec 1, 2008

Tokyo rebounded in the week ended December 1. The Nikkei 225 advanced 6.1%, to close at the 8,300 mark, while the Topix index rose 3.1%. The market's comeback was helped by a respite in the volatility of overseas stock markets, as well as reports of economic stimulus measures being planned or taken by major countries, including a massive 200.0-billion euro ($252.28 billion) package announced by the European Union. Meanwhile, Japanese investors were discouraged by the lack of speed from local politicians who failed to pass a second supplementary budget to finance economic stimulus programs and proposed legislature to make the government inject capital into financial institutions. The pharmaceutical index edged up 0.8%, underperforming the market.