Japan stocks fall on banks but exporters support

(Updates to midsession)

TOKYO, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Japanese stocks fell for the fourth straight session on Monday, tracking falls on Wall Street after fresh data pointed to a surge in U.S. inflation, dashing hopes for further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.

Still, the market pared earlier losses as falls in bank shares such as Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (8306.T) were offset by solid gains in exporters such as Honda Motor Co Ltd (7267.T) on the relatively firm dollar against the yen.

The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 ended the morning session down 0.2 percent at 15,482.15 and the broader TOPIX index fell 0.3 percent to 1,496.45. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)