Japan stocks flat after three days of gains

(Updates with opening)

TOKYO, March 24 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks opened almost flat on Monday, after a three-day winning streak, with financial issues such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) losing steam after sharp gains the previous session.

The business survey index of sentiment at large manufacturers in the January-March quarter was minus 12.9, compared with plus 5.2 in October-December, a government survey showed just before the opening. [ID:nTKU003153]

As of 0001 GMT, the benchmark Nikkei .N225 was down 0.08 percent or 9.51 points at 12,473.06. The Nikkei ended up 1.8 percent on Friday, gaining 2 percent for the holiday-shortened week.

The broader TOPIX inched down 0.05 percent at 1,219.44.

U.S. markets and most of Europe was closed on Friday for Easter, and will also stay shut on Monday. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)