The Nikkei share average rose for a second straight session on Wednesday, adding 0.27 percent as shares of Kyocera Corp. and other technology firms advanced after a gain in similar U.S. stocks, while Honda Motor Co. Ltd. climbed ahead of its earnings report.

Shares of consumer lenders declined, hit by lower earnings at industry leader Aiful Corp. and a brokerage downgrade. Their losses helped push the broader TOPIX index into negative territory.

The Nikkei finished the morning up 40.10 points at 15,045.34. The TOPIX index was down 0.04 percent at 1,534.22.

Nikkei 225