TOKYO, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Japanese shares stepped back on Wednesday, after U.S. air strikes in Syria dampened risk sentiment and curbed the yen's fall - the main driver of the market's rally in the past several weeks.

Returning on Tuesday from a market holiday, the Nikkei average fell 0.2 percent to 16,167.45, though the fall was limited partly because of buying ahead of Thursday, which is half-year dividend record date for many Japanese shares.

The broader Topix fell 0.3 percent while the new JPX-Nikkei Index 400 dipped 0.3 percent.

(Editing by Eric Meijer)