Kyodo economic news summary.

Japan Weekly Monitor, December, 2004

TOKYO, Dec. 21 Kyodo

---------- Dollar at lower 104 yen level in early Tokyo deals

TOKYO - The U.S. dollar traded in the lower 104 yen level early Tuesday in Tokyo after briefly tumbling to the 103 yen range overnight in New York on rekindled concerns about U.S. deficit woes.

At 9 a.m., the dollar was quoted at 104.13-15 yen, against Monday's 5 p.m. quotes of 104.05-15 yen in New York and 104.43-45 yen in Tokyo.

---------- Tokyo stocks open higher on expectations of year-end rally

TOKYO - Stocks opened higher Tuesday on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on buying prompted by expectations of a year-end rally, leading to gains almost across the board.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average...