Nikkei set to drift ahead of key U.S. data

TOKYO, March 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average is expected to drift on Wednesday, with rises by exporters such as Canon Inc limited by a slightly stronger yen as investors turn their eyes to U.S. data later in the week.

Astellas Pharma Inc may draw attention after it sued OSI Pharmaceuticals Inc to prevent the U.S. biotech company from using a poison pill or other defence to block its $3.5 billion hostile takeover attempt. [ID:nN02146320]