Japan's Nikkei falls as August rally spurs profit-taking

By Kevin Buckland

TOKYO, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average fell on Friday, as August's rally invited profit taking on the month's final trading day, while a stronger yen and some weak economic readings weighed.

Tech-heavy Nikkei .N225 dropped 0.26% to finish the day at 42,718.47, trimming its gains for the week to 0.2%.

The index, which hit a record high of 43,876.42 on August 19, ended the month with a more than 4% rise.

Meanwhile, the broader Topix .TOPX sank 0.47% to 3,075.18, losing 0.83% for the week, but gaining 4.49% this month, when it also scaled an all-time peak.

Japanese stocks have gained in recent weeks on robust corporate earnings and the broader rally in global equities spurred by Wall Street's record run.

"This is an environment that is conducive to profit-taking in Japanese stocks," said Nomura strategist Maki Sawada, pointing to the strong gains for August.

The bullish outlook from strong corporate earnings "hasn't changed, and will continue to support the Nikkei" into September, she said.

Data on Friday showed factory output fell more than expected last month, while retail sales rose only slightly, falling short of forecasts.

Automakers were overall weaker as the yen's overnight gains against the dollar reduced the value of overseas revenues.

Toyota 7203.T dropped 1.58% and Honda 7267.T lost 1.29%.

Chip-sector shares mostly ended with small declines, recovering from more pronounced weakness in the morning session. Tokyo Electron 8035.T closed the day 0.41% lower.

Separately, Sony 6758.T sank 1.45% and Nintendo 7974.T slipped 0.89%.

Of the Nikkei's 225 components, 152 fell, 68 rose and five ended flat.