TOKYO, April 10 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

fell on Wednesday, as investors locked in profits after recent

gains, while caution ahead of a key U.S. inflation print also

weighed on risk sentiment.

The Nikkei was down 0.27% at 39,666.24 by the midday

break.

The Nikkei was poised to snap a winning streak after the

index rose nearly 1% each in the previous two sessions. The

benchmark index had slumped nearly 2% in its biggest daily

decline in almost a month on Friday.

"The Nikkei rose in the past two days, which prompted

investors to sell stocks," said Naoki Fujiwara, senior fund

manager at Shinkin Asset Management.

"Also the market turned cautions ahead of the U.S. consumer

price inflation for March, which will indicate the timing of the

U.S. rate cuts," Fujiwara said.

Investors will closely watch U.S. data later in the day as

they seek direction on the Federal Reserve's next move in

interest rates. The data is expected to show a rise in headline

inflation to 3.4% year-on-year, from 3.2% in February.

Shares of Uniqlo brand owner Fast Retailing ( FRCOF ) fell

1.43% to become the biggest drag in the Nikkei while drugmaker

Chugai Pharmaceutical ( CHGCF ) lost 2.24%.

Chip-testing making equipment Advantest ( ADTTF ) slipped

0.51%.

Bucking the trend, chip-making equipment maker Tokyo

Electron ( TOELF ) rose 0.85% and silicon wafer maker Shin-Etsu

Chemical ( SHECF ) gained 1.22%.

Nuclear power plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Holdings

rose 4.71% to become the top performer in the benchmark

index while city gas supplier Tokyo Gas ( TKGSF ) advanced 4.67%.

The broader Topix slipped 0.17% to 2,749.92, with

Toyota Motor ( TM ) falling 0.66% to become the biggest drag.

Trading house Mitsui & Co ( MITSF ) lost 2.1%

Seven & i Holdings ( SVNDF ) reversed course to fall 1.06%

after Kyodo news agency reported that the retail conglomerate

plans to list its supermarket unit Ito-Yokado.