Nikkei up 0.3 pct, exporters sold on strong yen

(Updates to opening)

TOKYO, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average gained 0.3 pct on Thursday, led by TDK Corp (6762.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Fast Retailing Co Ltd (9983.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) after Wall Street only dipped despite big losses by Merrill Lynch.

Exporters including Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) were sold as the yen's gain against the dollar <JPY=> could hurt their profits.

The dollar was trading around 114.05 yen <JPY=> after falling 0.5 percent to 114.20 in late New York trade.

As of 0001 GMT the benchmark Nikkei .N225 was up 55.54 points at 16,413.93. The broader TOPIX index was down 0.1 percent at 1,562.32.