(Updates with closing prices)

By Junko Fujita

TOKYO, July 9 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

closed higher on Wednesday, underpinned by a weaker yen, though

gains were limited as investors sold stocks to book profits.

The Nikkei rose 0.33% to 39,821.28, after swinging

between marginal gains and losses during the session.

The broader Topix rose 0.41% to 2,828.16.

"The Nikkei opened higher, supported by the yen's weakness

against the dollar. But as soon as the Nikkei rose closer to the

40,000 level, investors sold stocks to book profits," said

Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence

Laboratory.

"Overall, the market is firm, with the Topix rising.

Investors are rotating their targets day to day."

Automakers rose on the back of the softer yen, with Toyota

Motor ( TM ) and Honda Motor ( HMC ) up 0.91% and 3.35%,

respectively.

The yen weakened 0.2% to 146.96 against the dollar.

The greenback extended gains as U.S. President Donald Trump

pledged more trade-related proclamations after announcing 25%

tariffs on Japan and steps against other trade partners.

A weaker Japanese currency tends to boost shares of

exporters, as it increases the value of overseas profits in yen

terms when firms repatriate them to Japan.

Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest ( ADTTF ) reversed

losses to end 0.23% higher, while the chip-making equipment

maker Tokyo Electron ( TOELF ) slipped 0.33%.

Uniqlo-brand owner Fast Retailing ( FRCOF ) lost 0.76%.

Energy-related shares rose after oil prices hit a two-week

high overnight. An index for oil refiners jumped

2.73% to become the top performer among the Tokyo Stock

Exchange's 33 industry sub-indexes.

Yoshinoya Holdings ( YNOYF ) jumped 6.46% after the fast-food

chain known for "gyudon" beef bowls reported a 9% gain in

quarterly net profit, supported by strong sales of its new ramen

business.

Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the TSE's prime

market, 77% rose, 19% fell and 3% traded flat.