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Japan's Nikkei average slipped in early trade on Wednesday, after posting its best April performance in 20 years, hurt by disappointing earnings guidance from semiconductor equipment maker Tokyo Electron Ltd.
The Nikkei eased 0.5% to 13,792.29 after rallying 11.8% last month, marking its best April performance since 1993 and a ninth straight month of gains -- its long such winning streak since May 2005 to January 2006.
The broader Topix index fell 0.6% to 1,158.45.
Tokyo Electron was the top-weighted loser in the Nikkei, down 4.5%
