TOKYO, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan's key stock index rose for the third consecutive session on Wednesday as market sentiment was supported by reports suggesting the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may maintain its current monetary policy at its December meeting.

The benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, gained 27.53 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 39,276.39.

Investors speculated that the BOJ might delay rate hikes, reducing upward pressure on the yen and providing a tailwind for exporters. However, caution prevailed ahead of key U.S. economic indicators, including the employment report.

In early trading, semiconductor-related stocks gained following a rally in U.S. tech shares overnight. However, profit-taking on the recently strong-performing stocks, coupled with fluctuations in the yen reaching mid-149 levels against the dollar, weighed on automakers like Honda, leading the Nikkei into brief declines.

The broader Topix index closing down 12.98 points, or 0.47 percent to close at 2,740.60.

On Tokyo Stock Exchange's Prime section, advancers numbered 326, while 1,280 issues declined, and 38 were unchanged. Enditem

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