Japan stocks edge down in thin trade, bridges rise

TOKYO, Sept 4 (Reuters) Japanese stocks edged down on Tuesday, taking the Nikkei average down 0.4 percent as concerns about domestic demand in the wake of an unexpected drop in capital spending led to selling in lacklustre trade, though shares in bridge makers bucked the trend.

A report that Nippon Steel Corp and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd had agreed to merge their bridge construction businesses to better compete in a shrinking market buoyed bridge makers with hopes of further consolidation in the sector.

The benchmark Nikkei average ended the morning down 70.15 points at 16,454.78. The broader TOPIX index lost 0.2 percent or 3.38 points to 1,602.06.

REUTERS BJR KN0741