 Japanese stocks edged higher on Wednesday as some investors bought shares of major exporters on the back of a slightly weaker yen, although sentiment was cautious due to a stalemate in talks over additional U.S. economic stimulus. The Nikkei 225 Index ended up 0.41 at 22,843.96, with the industrial and consumer discretionary sectors leading gains. A weaker yen inflates exporters earnings when repatriated from overseas. 