Japan stocks rebound as exporters, Pioneer support

(Updates to midsession)

TOKYO, March 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.7 percent on Tuesday, with beaten-down exporter shares such as Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) rising after the previous day's market drop and as the dollar halted a sharp sell-off against a basket of major currencies.

Another boost came from Pioneer Corp (6773.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which surged nearly 13 percent after the Nikkei business daily said it is finalising plans to stop all production of plasma display panels and procure panels from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co (6752.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).[ID:nT218689]

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 ended the morning session up 94.48 points at 13,086.66 after booking its lowest close since Jan. 23 on Monday.

The broader TOPIX index was up 0.3 percent or 4.30 points at 1,275.45. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi; Editing by Chris Gallagher)