TOKYO, March 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

dipped on Friday, as heavyweight technology shares tracked their

U.S. peers lower, while traders continued to position themselves

carefully ahead of the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) meeting next week.

The Nikkei was down 0.14% at 38,751.54 by the midday

break. Although the benchmark index snapped a string of losses

in the previous session, it was still set for its largest weekly

drop since early December. The index has lost 2.4% so far this

week.

The declines come as tech-related shares, which helped to

lift the index above 40,000 points earlier this month, followed

U.S. chipmaker Nvidia ( NVDA ) lower as investors continued to

lock in profits. The U.S. index of semiconductors dropped

1.8%.

Shares of chip-testing equipment maker Advantest ( ADTTF ),

which counts Nvidia ( NVDA ) among its customers, and chip-making

equipment giant Tokyo Electron ( TOELF ) were down 1.7% and 3.3%,

respectively. Advantest ( ADTTF ) was among some of the worst performers

for the week, losing more than 7%.

"I think investors are keeping a close eye on the impact of

the U.S. stock market slump and the results of the Rengo's wage

growth survey," T&D Asset Management Chief Strategist Hiroshi

Namioka said.

The preliminary results of Japan's spring wage negotiations

were due later in the day, which will play a key role in the

BOJ's decision on March 18-19.

Speculations have grown that the BOJ could end its negative

interest rate policy at its meeting, weighing on the Nikkei

index.

Japan's Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said on Friday the

nation's economy is no longer in deflation, and a strong trend

of wage hikes is taking place.

Losses in the Nikkei were limited by strength in the energy

sector, with energy explorers up 4.4%, while oil and

coal production firms gained 3.1%.

Shares of heavyweights SoftBank Group Corp and

Uniqlo parent firm Fast Retailing ( FRCOF ) edged higher.

The broader Topix was up 0.58% at 2676.95.