Japan's Nikkei edges lower, high-tech shares weigh

(Updates to midsession)

TOKYO, July 4 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average edged down 0.3 percent on Friday, taking aim at a 12th straight day of losses -- the longest losing streak in more than half a century -- as Tokyo Electron Ltd (8035.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and other high-tech shares weighed on the market. Paper shares extended losses on high oil prices after oil set a new record of more than $145 a barrel and general selling emerged across a broad range of sectors, though gains in heavy machinery such as Komatsu Ltd (6301.T: Quote, Profile, Research) helped brake further falls.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 finished down 40.87 points at 13,224.53, heading for its 12th straight day of losses, the longest since 1954. The broader Topix was down 0.2 percent at 1,295.80. (Reporting by Elaine Lies;)