Nikkei opens higher on strong US data, tech shares

TOKYO, Jan 21 (Reuters) -Japan's Nikkei average gained on Friday, recouping some of its losses from the previous day, with a weaker yen on strong U.S economic data lifting some exporters, and the tech sector poised to outperform on a reported tie-up between NEC Corp <6701.T> and China's Lenovo Group Ltd <0992.HK>.

The latest data indicated that two weak spots in the U.S. economy -- housing and jobs -- appear to be on the mend. U.S. existing home sales jumped more than expected in December despite bad weather as the housing sector struggled to recover from a severe slump, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors. [ID:nN2090188]

NEC and China's Lenovo Group Ltd are in the final stages of talks for a tie-up in the personal computer business, the Nikkei business daily said, lifting NEC's stock 4.6 percent to 250 yen at the beginning of the trade. NEC said on Friday that nothing had been decided any joint venture.

The benchmark Nikkei <.N225> was up 0.2 percent or 16.24 points at 10,452.91 in early trade.

The broader Topix index <.TOPX> rose 0.1 percent to 927.97. (Reporting by Antoni Slodkowski; Editing by Joseph Radford)