Nikkei slips on concerns over earnings, Softbank rises

TOKYO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei slipped on Tuesday on concerns over company earnings amid sluggish global growth after a handful of firms cut forecasts, but losses were capped by gains in mobile operator Softbank Corp after its purchase of a smaller rival.

The Nikkei

eased 0.1 percent to 8,786.05, hitting a three-week closing low for a second day in a row, while the broader Topix

index fell 0.2 percent to 731.19.

(Reporting by Dominic Lau; Editing by Richard Pullin)

((dominic.lau@thomsonreuters.com)(+81 3 6441 1917)(Reuters Messaging:)(dominic.lau.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: MARKETS JAPAN STOCKS/