Nikkei edges down 0.17 pct, Sharp lower on probe

TOKYO, Dec 13 (Reuters) The Nikkei average fell 0.17 percent at the start of trade on Wednesday with investors selling Sharp Corp. after the company said a day earlier it is under investigation by anti-monopoly bodies in Japan and the United States over the liquid crystal display (LCD) business.

As of 0001 GMT, the Nikkei was down 28.53 points at 16,609.25.

The broader TOPIX index fell 0.26 percent at 1,632.40.

REUTERS DKS PM0550