Early gains in the Tokyo equities markets on Wednesday were taken back as investors expressed concern about recent economic data. The Nikkei 225 managed to end the session 0.2 percent higher to 15,750.05, but the Topix index dropped 0.2 percent to 1,583.55.
Sony finally managed to see gains after recent declines due to the recall of its defective laptop batteries and a delay in the launch of its latest PlayStation gaming console in Europe. The consumer electronics and entertainment conglomerate added 1.2 percent to ¥4,940.
The semiconductors sector also managed advances, following on gains for the US sector. Advantest gained 3 percent to ¥11,590, while Tokyo Electron was 4 percent higher to ¥8,300 and Elpida Memory added 6.6 percent to ¥5,660.
Carmakers were higher, with Nissan up 0.6 percent to ¥1,291 and Toyota adding 1 percent to ¥6,200.
While Mitsui Fudosan, at ¥2,665, and Mitsubishi Estate, at ¥2,580, were unchanged on the session as a result of profit-taking in the real estate sector, NTT Urban Development dropped 1.3 percent to ¥927,000 and Sumitomo Realty & Development fell 2.6 percent to ¥3,370.
Consumer finance companies were lower on concerns that they might have to repay excessive interest charges to customers. Aiful was 3.3 percent lower to ¥4,730, while Takefuji dropped 3.4 percent to ¥5,940 and Acom fell 5.2 percent to ¥4,930.