TOKYO, Sept 10 (Reuters) - The Nikkei share index edged

up on Wednesday, following gains on Wall Street, as traders

gauged economic data for signals of central bank policy shifts

in the United States and Japan.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.3% to 43,604.15,

bouncing back from a 0.4% slide in the previous session. The

broader Topix added 0.2%.

The three main share indexes in the U.S. hit new record highs

overnight after a downward payrolls revision solidified

expectations the Federal Reserve will soon cut interest rates to

support the economy.

The path is less certain for the Bank of Japan as it eyes a

possible rate increase this year to rein in inflation but also

political uncertainty following the resignation of Prime

Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

The Nikkei surged to a record intraday high of 44,185.73 on

Tuesday before losing momentum and finishing in the red on the

day.

"The immediate focus remains on the 44,000 level," said

Nomura Securities strategist Chisa Matsuda. "As we approach that

threshold, profit-taking is expected, potentially weighing on

the upside."

On the plus side for Japan's economy, manufacturers'

sentiment was its best in more than three years, the Reuters

Tankan poll showed in a preview to the BOJ's own closely watched

survey due on October 1.

There were 88 advancers on the Nikkei against 136 decliners. The

largest gainer was Kansai Electric Power ( KAEPF ), up 6% after a

Financial Times report that activist investor Elliott Management

has become one of the top three shareholders in the company.

Fujikura ( FKURF ), a supplier to Apple ( AAPL ), was the No. 2

gainer with a 5.5% surge. Apple ( AAPL ) unveiled a slate of iPhones

overnight, holding prices steady as it contends with the effects

of tariffs.

The largest losers in the Nikkei were Mazda Motor ( MZDAF ),

down 2.9%, followed by Denso ( DNZOF ), which slumped 2.8%."