Nikkei ends up 0.5 per cent

Japan8217;s Nikkei average ended almost flat on Monday,pressured by the yen,which stayed near a 15-year high against the dollar,and as investors turned cautious ahead of US banks8217; earnings and the reporting season at home.

The market also struggled to find clear direction due to a dearth of immediate market-moving incentives,with investors looking to take cues from the Group of 20 nations meeting later in the week and the Federal Reserve8217;s monetary policy early next month.

The benchmark Nikkei inched up 0.5 per cent to 830.52.