RTRS: Nikkei nearly flat, holding breath before data
Aug 6 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average edged down 0.1 percent on Friday, after an unexpected rise in weekly U.S. jobless claims underscored the economy's weakening and sent Wall Street lower a day before the monthly U.S payrolls report.
Solid earnings reported during the week by companies such as general contractor Kajima (1812.T) helped provide support, but the trend towards a stronger yen -- with the dollar hitting an eight-month low of 85.32 on Wednesday -- continued to cap gains.
The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 11.80 points to 9,642.12, ending the week in positive territory for the third week in a row, a run unmatched since five weeks starting in early March.
The broader Topix .TOPX rose 0.5 percent to 861.17. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)
