Nikkei edges up, yen eases but economy doubts weigh
(Updates to midsession)
TOKYO, April 7 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average edged up 0.4 percent on Monday as the dollar climbed versus the yen, but Toyota Motor Co (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) lagged on worries about a slowing U.S. economy after the biggest monthly fall in jobs there in five years.
The fall was limited as oil field developer Inpex Holdings Inc (1605.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and other resource-linked shares, including trading houses, climbed after crude oil and precious metals rose overseas.
But steelmakers fell on reports of a sharp rise in raw material costs.
The Nikkei gained 57.17 points to end the morning at 13,350.39, while the broader TOPIX crawled up by 0.5 percent to 1,295.02. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)
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