Japan stocks snap winning run as profits locked in

(Updates to opening)

TOKYO, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks snapped a four-day winning streak on Thursday with investors locking in profits in recent gainers such as Advantest Corp (6857.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) after a flat finish on Wall Street and amid holiday-thinned trade.

As of 0001 GMT, the benchmark Nikkei average .N225 was down 0.2 percent or 37.13 points at 15,616.41. It had finished Wednesday up 0.7 percent at 15,653.54, its highest close since Dec. 12.

The broader TOPIX index shed 0.2 percent or 2.97 points to 1,505.50. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)