TOKYO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average inched down on Friday, taking a breather after ending the previous day at its highest in 4-½ months, but a weakening in the yen against the dollar was expected to lend support.
The benchmark Nikkei slipped 0.5 percent to 9,810.30. It rose 0.3 percent to 9,861.46 on Thursday to book its highest close since June 24, when the Nikkei last traded above 10,000.
The broader Topix fell 0.5 percent to 852.52. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi; Editing by Michael Watson)