Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

JAPANESE markets yielded to profit-taking after a five-day rally that lifted the Nikkei 225 above the key 19,000 mark for the first time in 27 months.

The index ended down 174.43 points, or 0.92 per cent, at 18,271.78. Traders see few negatives, saying hi-tech and telecoms shares will continue their rise after resting for a few days. The market has focused on a narrow range of IT shares that have risen on hopes that they will be incorporated heavily in new trust funds.