Japan’s Nikkei ekes out gains in choppy trade

TOKYO: Japan’s Nikkei share average edged up in choppy trade on Wednesday, buoyed by Wall Street strength overnight, while profit-taking reined in gains as investors awaited fresh drivers. The Nikkei was up 0.3% at 38,068.22, by the midday break, while the broader Topix gained 0.1% to sit at 2,660.55.