Nikkei edges up before US job data; set for modest weekly gain

* Nikkei poised to snap 6-week losing streak

* Investors on sidelines before U.S. jobs data

* ANA soars on share buyback announcement

By Ayai Tomisawa

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average edged up on Friday, echoing Wall Street gains, but trading was subdued as investors awaited U.S. job data for possible clues on the Federal Reserve's next move on interest rates.

The Nikkei gained 0.2 percent to 19,685.97 points by midmorning trade. For the week, the Nikkei looked set to rise 1.2 percent, which would snap a six-week losing streak.

U.S. markets are closed on Monday for Labor Day.

Data on Thursday showed U.S. consumer spending rose slightly less than expected in July and annual inflation increased at its slowest pace since late 2015, which could make the Fed more cautious about another rate rise this year.

Friday's nonfarm payrolls report is expected to show that employers added 180,000 jobs in August, according to the median estimate of 93 economists polled by Reuters.

"Investors want to see if the yen will rise or fall after the U.S. jobs data, and they don't want to take large positions before a long weekend in the U.S.," said Yutaka Miura, a senior technical analyst at Mizuho Securities.

The dollar was stable against the yen. The dollar edged up 0.1 percent to 110.07, up 0.6 percent for the week and well above this week's nadir of 108.265 yen.

Tech shares outperformed, with Advantest Corp surging 1.6 percent, TDK Corp and Sony Corp rising 1.0 percent.

Automakers were mixed, with Toyota Motor Corp shedding 0.2 percent and Honda Motor Co advancing 0.6 percent.

ANA Holdings soared 2.6 percent after the airline company said it bought 32.7 million shares of its common stock for 13.35 billion yen in total on Friday.

The broader Topix was up 0.1 percent to 1,618.26. (Editing by Kim Coghill)

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