Nikkei little changed as virus worries weigh

TOKYO, June 19 (Reuters) - Japanese shares struggled for
direction on Friday as investors remained cautious after the
country lifted its domestic travel curbs that were imposed to
halt the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Nikkei share average .N225 rose 0.14% to 22,386.41 by
the midday break on Friday, while the broader Topix .TOPX
dipped 0.34% to 1,577.66, with almost a third of 33 sector
sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange trading higher.
Japan, having eased its pandemic lockdown in May, stepped up
its recovery from the coronavirus on Friday by lifting travel
restrictions across prefectures. "I would like people, while observing social distancing, to
go out on sightseeing trips. We would like you to make an effort
to engage in social and economic activity," Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe said on Thursday.
However, concerns of fresh coronavirus cases in other parts
of the world overshadowed recovery hopes. In addition to
increasing number of infections in multiple states across the
United States, around 400 workers at a slaughterhouse in
northern Germany tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
On the Nikkei index, there were 58 advancers against 163
decliners.
Airline and other transportation sectors led gains on the
country's move to lift travel restrictions. Airline index
.IAIRL.T gained 1.82%, advancing the most on the main bourse,
with Japan Airlines Co Ltd 9201.T and ANA Holdings Inc
9202.T rising 2.26% and 1.49%, respectively.
Land transport .IRAIL.T sector edged 0.61% higher.
Semi-conductor shares were also strong, after the United
States economic data showed that factory activity rebounded in
the mid-Atlantic region, with Advantest 6857.T up 2.71% and
Screen Holdings Co Ltd 7735.T eking 0.2% gain.
Elsewhere in the market, electronic products manufacturer
Tokyo Electron Limited 8035.T soared 5.09% after the company
forecast an 11% increase in net profit for the current business
year through March 2021, reflecting high demand from people
working remotely.