Nikkei down 0.5 pc, yen recovers against USD

Tokyo, Apr 10: The Nikkei average lost 0.45 percent on Tuesday, slipping from a six-week closing high set the previous session, as the yen's recovery against the dollar encouraged investors to book profits on exporters such as TDK Corp.

Shares of high-tech glass maker Hoya Corp. and camera maker Pentax Corp. declined after Pentax' board decided to scrap a planned share-swap merger of the two but said it was open to talks about a management integration.

Trade was subdued amid lingering caution about the U.S.

economy and ahead of full-year corporate earnings reports later this month.

The Nikkei closed down 79.07 points at 17,664.69, after booking its highest close since Feb. 27 on Monday.

The broad TOPIX index fell 0.14 percent to 1,735.69.

Reuters