By Shinichi Saoshiro
TOKYO, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei was little changed on Wednesday, as investors held positions ahead of a key central bankers' gathering in the United States, which could provide markets with some near-term cues.
The Nikkei share average was up 0.02% at 20,622.01 as of 0215 GMT.
Markets are in a holding patter ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech on Friday at the Jackson Hole, Wyoming, conference of central bank officials. Investor focus will be on Powell's comments on monetary policy and any hints he provides ahead of September's rates meeting, at which the Fed is widely expected to ease policy.
Cosmetics makers and retail store operators popular with tourists rose after government data showed the number of foreign visitors to Japan in July increased 5.6% from the previous year. 4911.T was up 4.9%, leading the index on percentage gains. Fellow cosmetics companies Fancl Corp 4921.T climbed 2.9% and Kose Corp 4922.T added 3.1%.
Matsumotokiyoshi Holdings Co 3088.T , which operates a chain of drugstores, rose 1.8% and Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp 7532.T , the operator of Don Quijote discount stores, added 1%.
Technology shares advanced on the back of continuing strength in their U.S. counterparts, which have helped Wall Street's strong over the past week.
Tokyo Electron 8035.T gained 1.1%, Advantest 6857.T advanced 1.6% and SCREEN Holdings 7735.T rose 3.4%.
There were 106 advancers on the Nikkei index against 111 decliners.
The largest percentage losses in the index was CyberAgent Inc 4751.T , which fell 3.1%.
The broader Topix .TOPX dipped 0.08% to 1,496.26. (Editing by Sam Holmes)