Nikkei starts flat, yen supports but Toyota slips

Published: 29 Sep 2009 16:15:12 PST

TOKYO, Sept 30 - Japan's Nikkei average was flat on Wednesday as some exporters such as Honda Motor Co received support from a halt in the yen's advance against the dollar.

But Toyota Motor Corp fell 0.6 percent following an announcement it will recall some 3.8 million vehicles because of the risk that a loose floormat could force down the accelerator, a problem suspected of causing crashes that killed five people.

The benchmark Nikkei inched up 4.97 points to 10,105.17, after rising 0.9 percent the previous day.

The broader Topix added 0.1 percent to 905.19.