CORRECTED - CORRECTED-Nikkei sets longest losing streak in half century

(Corrects historical comparison in third paragraph)

(Adds comment, stocks, detail)

By Aiko Hayashi

TOKYO, July 3 (Reuters) - The Nikkei share average dipped 0.2 percent on Thursday to set its longest losing streak in more than half a century as worries about high oil prices and the global economy hit exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T).

Commodity-linked stocks such as trading house Mitsubishi Corp (8058.T) fell after their recent bullish runs, even though oil hit a fresh record on Thursday, with U.S. crude CLc1 rising as high as $144.44 a barrel.

The Nikkei fell for an 11th day, giving up 8.2 percent during that period, and booked the longest losing streak since a 15-day losing streak in 1954.

Still market participants appeared rather calm on this historical milestone.

"Things are getting increasingly gloomy because of the impact from high oil prices as indicated by U.S. car sales data, but not every investor is pessimistic even after a 10-day losing streak," said Soichiro Monji, chief strategist at the equity management department of Daiwa SB Investments.

He said money appeared to be shifting from commodity-related shares to domestic demand ones on the view that commodity prices have risen to a near peak, adding oil prices may break below $100 a barrel by the end of this year.

"This trend may continue in the coming three to six months," he said.

The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 fell 20.97 points to end at 13,265.40, while the broader Topix shed 0.2 percent to 1,298.02, falling for a seventh day.

"If you just look at this event, it may seem like a signal that Japan is at a crossroads and something huge will happen," said Kenichi Hirano, operating officer at Tachibana Securities.

"But it's hard to think that Japanese corporate earnings will suddenly go awry and some big changes will happen only to Japan, considering the world is all linked today."

The market went in and out of positive territory in afternoon trade as investors nervously waited for U.S. jobs data and the European Central Bank's decision on interest rates later in the day.

EXPORTERS, COMMODITY-LINKED SHARES DOWN

Toyota Motor and other automakers slid after Merrill Lynch downgraded General Motors (GM.N), saying the U.S. automaker will need $15 billion to shore up liquidity, and sent the company's shares tumbling.