Japan stocks slip into negative in thin trade

(Updates to midsession)

TOKYO, Sept 5 (Reuters) - The Nikkei stock average gave up early gains to end the morning session down 0.07 percent in thin trade on Wednesday, though high tech firms such as Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) bucked the trend to power upwards.

Sony shares surged after the electronics conglomerate said it would list shares of its financial arm on the Tokyo Stock Exchange next month, raising up to $3 billion in an initial public offering to fund its core electronics business.

The Nikkei .N225 lost 11.92 points to close the morning at 16,408.55, while the broader TOPIX index was down 0.54 percent or 8.67 points at 1,588.07.