TOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei slipped on

Monday for a second consecutive day, retreating from record-high

levels reached last week, as numerous stocks lost their dividend

entitlements.

The Nikkei 225 Index was down 1% at 44,892.52, as of

the midday break, easing from the record-high close of 45,754.93

on Thursday. The broader Topix lost 1.8%.

In a closely watched market debut, Sony Financial

jumped as much as 40% after being spun off from Sony Group ( SONY )

, whose shares edged 0.2% higher.

Monday marked the ex-dividend date for many Japanese firms,

meaning new shareholders won't receive upcoming dividend

payouts. That, along with a strengthening yen and recent market

highs, created headwinds for equities, Nomura strategist Maki

Sawada said.

"The Nikkei average surged sharply in September, so we might

be seeing a pause in that rally," Sawada said.

There were 22 advancers on the Nikkei against 202 decliners.

The biggest decliners were heavy equipment maker Komatsu ( KMTUF )

, down 4.7%, followed by Honda Motor ( HMC ), which

sank 4.2%.

The largest percentage gainers in the index were Sumco ( SUMCF )

, up 7.8%, followed by M3, gaining 7.5%, and

chip heavyweight Advantest ( ADTTF ), which added 3.5%.