Japan's Nikkei Stock Average traded almost flat on Wednesday as appreciating Yen offset gains from stronger than expected industrial production in January. Nikkei 225 index closed 0.01% or 0.98 points up at 9,723.50. On monthly basis index has jumped 10.5%. Panasonic Corp added 1.5% on announcement it elected a new president to attempt to return to profitability. Toshiba Corp. climbed 1.4% after the company said it will sell its Thailand subsidiary to Western Digital Corp.