Japan stocks edge down as yen weighs on exporters

TOKYO, Nov 28 (Reuters) Japanese stocks lost steam after opening higher on Wednesday, as automakers such as Toyota Motor Corp slipped into reverse on lingering currency concerns, with the dollar still on track to log its biggest one-month fall against the yen since early 2000.

The Nikkei average finished the morning session down 0.3 percent or 43.40 points at 15,179.45, after opening 0.3 percent higher following a rise on Wall Street.

The broader TOPIX index shed 0.1 percent to 1,477.39, having also started the day in positive territory.

But Astellas Pharma Inc provided some support to the market after the drugmaker said on Tuesday it would buy U.S. biotech company Agensys Inc for 7 million to boost its antibody research and development for cancer treatments.

REUTERS AK BST0740