Nikkei slips as fears about earnings, data weigh

(Updates to midmorning)

TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei benchmark fell 0.9 percent on Tuesday, a day after hitting a five-week closing high, with Tokyo Electron Ltd (8035.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and other chip-related shares dragging on the market as worries about their earnings weighed. Investors stayed to the sidelines ahead of Japanese machinery orders data due out on Thursday, with financials such as Mizuho Financial Group (8411.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) slipping on lingering credit fears.

The Nikkei .N225 shed 125.22 points to 13,325.01 by midday, while the broader TOPIX was down 0.9 percent at 1,294.25. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)