Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended slightly higher in a mixed day of trading Monday on the back of Wall Street's rise before the weekend and a weaker yen.

But the Tokyo market lost momentum in the afternoon session in a wait-and-see mood ahead of Tuesday's inauguration of Barack Obama as the US president.

The Nikkei 225 Stock Average edged up 26.7 points, or 0.32 per cent, to close at 8,256.85.

But the broader Topix index of all First Section issues dipped 0.16 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 817.73.

On the currency markets at midday (0300 GMT), the dollar was quoted at 90.97-91.02 yen, up from Friday's 5 pm quotes of 90.29-32 yen. A weaker yen helps boost earnings of Japanese exporters and makes Japanese products cheaper overseas.

The euro traded at 1.3343-48 dollars, up from late Friday's quote of 1.3237-40 dollars, and at 121.45-50 yen, up from 119.54-58 yen. (dpa)