Kao says may pay higher dividend for 2009/10

TOKYO, May 14 (Reuters) - Kao Corp (4452.T), Japan's largest maker of toiletries, said on Thursday it may pay a higher dividend for this business year if economic uncertainties clear.

Kao President Motoki Ozaki said: "I have not given up hopes of paying a higher dividend this financial year, but we need to be careful given ongoing economic uncertainties."

Kao will make a decision on raising its dividend forecast for the year to next March 31 once such uncertainties clear, he told Reuters in an interview.

It paid higher dividends for 19 straight years up to last year. (Reporting by Yumiko Nishitani)