TOKYO, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average may open lower on Friday after the yen rose to a fresh 15-year high against the dollar, but shares will likely be trapped in a tight range with investors reluctant to trade actively before key U.S. payrolls data due later in the day.
Still, the Nikkei is expected to be supported as technical trends have brightened after the Bank of Japan's policy easing this week drove shares higher.
Share prices of manufacturers could be pressured should the yen extend gains, but an uptrend in the property and financial sectors is expected to stay following the BOJ's easing move, traders said.
"The Nikkei could be placed under downward pressure, but there is a plenty of demand to buy on dips based on its strong technical trends," said Hiroichi Nishi, general manager of equity marketing at Nikko Cordial Securities.
"But prices are expected to move in a narrow band ahead of the three-day-weekend as the market wants to confirm the outcome of the Group of Seven meeting and the U.S. jobs data."
Nikkei futures traded in Chicago finished at 9,680, slightly down from the Osaka close.
The benchmark Nikkei is likely to move between 9,550 and 9,750, traders said. The index inched down 0.1 percent to 9,684.81 on Thursday.
U.S. weekly jobless claims were better than expected but the spotlight was on the larger non-farm payrolls report due on Friday.
The report is expected to show payrolls were unchanged in September, but the release has bigger implications for a market hoping that weak data will spur the Federal Reserve to take further steps to boost the economy.
Brighter technical trends should encourage investors to seek bargain-hunting opportunities.
Nikko Cordial's Nishi said technicals looked especially strong with the Nikkei well above the closely watched 25-day moving average, which was at 9,384.
STOCKS TO WATCH
-- Honda Motor Co
Honda has decided to increase annual production of its new 125 cc PCX motorcycle model by 30 percent to 60,000-70,000 units, the Nikkei business daily reported.
-- Seven & I Holdings
Japan's top retailer Seven & I kept its annual forecasts unchanged due to weakness at its large retail outlets, disappointing investors hoping government stimulus efforts would improve its outlook.
-- Panasonic Corp
Panasonic is eyeing emerging markets like India, where it is planning a factory, in a bid to boost the sales of residential air conditioners by 60 percent in fiscal 2012, the Nikkei business daily said.
-- Daihatsu Motor Co
Daihatsu said on Thursday it is recalling 882,006 mini vehicles in Japan due to the possibility of their door mirrors falling off. (Reporting by Chikafumi Hodo; Editing by Chris Gallagher)