Nikkei up 0.4 pct, exporters rise on softer yen

(Adds comments and stocks)

By Taiga Uranaka

TOKYO, April 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.4 percent in a see-saw session on Thursday, led by exporters such as Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on the yen's slide against the dollar.

The market lacked clear direction, moving between positive and negative territory as investors vacillated ahead of Japanese corporate earnings that get into full swing later in the day.

"Institutional investors are waiting to see corporate outlooks for this business year before building positions, and there is also the Golden Week ahead." said Yoshihiro Ito, managing director at Okasan Asset Management, referring to a series of Japanese national holidays that begin next week.

"Technicals suggest the market's recent gain was too rapid, but at the same time, investors do not have many positions to sell."

The earnings report season kicks off on Thursday, with steelmaker JFE Holdings Inc (5411.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Nintendo Co Ltd (7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) among major firms due to announce results later in the day.

The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 ended the morning up 51.71 points at 13,630.87. The broader TOPIX index gained 0.4 percent to 1,319.47.

Honda rose 2.2 percent to 3,250 yen, among the biggest contributor to the Nikkei.