Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

JAPANESE STOCKS fell as bank and brokerage shares relinquished some of the gains from the recent bull run sparked by an alliance between three leading banks. The Nikkei 225 lost 138.14 points, 0.76 per cent, to end at 18,095.41.

Although recent data suggested a possible recovery in Japan's economy, market players cast a wary eye towards the imminent rate decision by the US Federal Reserve. "If anything could hurt the market, it would be coming from overseas markets," said an analyst.