Japan's Nikkei stock average slipped 0.9 percent on Thursday, with exporters down on worries that a nascent U.S. recovery could be stifled by rising U.S. bond yields. But the slide was countered by shippers, which gained after a key freight index rose. Oil and gas field developer Inpex climbed after oil prices hit a 6-month high on Wednesday.

The benchmark Nikkei lost 54.65 points to 9,384.12, while the broader Topix lost 0.5 percent to 888.32.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies)

Nikkei 225 Japan