TOKYO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average fell 1.3 percent on Thursday to hit its lowest close in a month, with Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and other exporters slipping as investors locked in profits on caution ahead of U.S. jobs data.

Market players said selling by hedge funds also weighed on the market.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 shed 126.87 points to 9,717.44, its lowest finish since Oct. 6.

The broader Topix .TOPX slipped 0.7 percent to 874.96. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)