TOKYO, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

fell on Tuesday, giving back some of the previous session's

gains, with trading largely lacking direction in a

holiday-thinned week.

Honda ( HMC ) stood out with a more than 13% surge that

dwarfed moves elsewhere on the benchmark index, after announcing

a share buyback following market close on Monday, when it also

revealed talks to merge with Nissan ( NSANF ). The deal had been

reported by Reuters and other media prior to the announcement .

The Nikkei fell 0.27% to end the morning session at

39,055.35, following a 1.2% rise on Monday, its first advance

since Dec. 12.

The broader Topix was flat.

Honda ( HMC ) was by far the best performing stock on the Nikkei,

jumping 13.55%. Nissan ( NSANF ) endured volatile trading, slumping as

much as 7.33% before rebounding to be slightly positive, and

then ending the morning session down 0.11%.

Nissan-partner Mitsubishi Motors ( MMTOF ) said it was also

considering joining the alliance. Its shares rose 2.77%.

Automakers in general got a boost from a weakening yen,

which boosts the value of overseas sales.

Overall though, Japanese stocks were mixed, with 106 of the

Nikkei's 225 components rising versus 115 that fell, with four

flat.

"Amid a lack of market drivers, trading is going to be

largely directionless," said Maki Sawada, an equities strategist

at Nomura Securities.

"Like yesterday, trading is likely to be thin, with market

participants conscious of the Christmas holidays."

Japanese markets are open all week, unlike in many parts of

Asia, Europe and the Americas. The final trading day of 2024 is

Dec. 30.