TOKYO, June 16 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

retreated from a record high in early trade on Tuesday, as

traders awaited a Bank of Japan policy decision later in the

day.

Market participants widely expect a quarter-point rate hike

from the central bank and a signal of more to come. The decision

doesn't come at a fixed time, but is generally announced between

0300 and 0500 GMT, midway through the trading day.

The Nikkei eased 0.2% to 69,182.87, falling back

from an all-time peak of 69,682.23 reached on Monday.

The broader Topix declined 0.3% to 3,986.95, after

also marking a historic high in the previous session at

4,032.39.

On the Nikkei, 155 of its 225 components were down, while 70

rose.

Heavily weighted AI stocks were split, with Advantest ( ADTTF )

gaining 3.3%, while SoftBank Group ( SFTBF ) slid 3.1%.

Tokyo Electron ( TOELF ) slipped 0.8%.

(Reporting by Kevin Buckland; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)