TOKYO - Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama instructed Cabinet ministers Sunday night to make further efforts to resolve the issue of how to rescue ailing Japan Airlines Corp., government officials said.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Hatoyama and other ministers, transport minister Seiji Maehara indicated the government will aim to release a JAL rescue package by Friday, the same day the airline is scheduled to report its earnings results for the April-September first half of the current fiscal year.

---------- Tokyo stocks fall as stronger yen hits exporters

TOKYO - Tokyo stocks opened lower Monday, with a stronger yen weighing on exporters.

In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average lost 41.77 points, or 0.43 percent, from Friday to 9,747.58. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 5.74 points, or 0.66 percent, to 868.27. The Second Section also lost ground.

---------- Dollar trades at upper 89 yen in early trading in Tokyo

TOKYO - The U.S. dollar traded at the upper 89 yen level early Monday in Tokyo after hitting a three-week local high of 89.60 yen Friday in New York.

At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 89.86-90 yen versus 89.83-93 yen in New York and 90.45-46 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.