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Japan's Nikkei share average edged down to a 1-1/2-week low on Thursday, erasing earlier gains after weaker-than-expected Chinese output and retail sales data disappointed the market.
The Nikkei ended down 0.1% at 14,815.98, the lowest closing level since March 4. It had risen as high as 14,919.84 earlier following strong Japanese machinery orders data.
The broader Topix index shed 0.3% to 1,203.46.
The JPX-Nikkei Index 400, a gauge comprising firms with high return on equity and strong corporate governance, dropped 0.3% to 10,885.43.
