TOKYO: Japanese stocks edged higher on Wednesday as some investors bought shares of major exporters on the back of a slightly weaker yen, although sentiment was cautious due to a stalemate in talks over additional US economic stimulus.

The Nikkei 225 Index ended up 0.41% at 22,843.96, with the industrial and consumer discretionary sectors leading gains. The broader Topix rose 1.23%.

The largest percentage gainers in the index were environmental plant manufacturer Ebara Corp up 11.4%, followed by precision parts maker NSK Ltd gaining 7.06%, and industrial equipment maker IHI Corp up by 5.95%.

The top percentage losers in the index were Internet commerce firm Rakuten Inc down 7.79%, followed by drugs maker Eisai Co Ltd losing 5.29%, and electronic parts maker Taiyo Yuden Co Ltd down by 4.22%.

The volume of shares traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's main board was 1.3 billion, compared with an average of 1.21 billion in the past 30 days.