TOKYO, July 18 - Japan's Nikkei stock average closed slightly firmer on Friday, snapping a three-day losing streak, as telecoms issues pared recent falls ahead of a long weekend. Automaker Honda Motor <7267.T> and its peers also gained ground, helped by a rise in the dollar to a two-week high against the yen. But Sony Corp <6758.T> and other techs fell, taking their cue from the Nasdaq's drop on profit concerns.
The Nikkei average <.N225> finished up 0.30 percent at 9,527.73, following three days of losses in which it shed over 2.5 percent to its lowest finish since July 1. The broader TOPIX index <.TOPX> was up 0.38 percent at 933.10.//