Nikkei up 0.6 pct as Kyocera, high-tech stocks rise

TOKYO, June 14 (Reuters) The Nikkei average rose 0.64 percent on Thursday as high-tech exporters such as Kyocera Corp.

up following a rise in stocks in the United States, one of the biggest markets for Japanese goods, and a weaker yen.

Shares of Fanuc Ltd. gained nearly 3 percent after it said on Thursday it will build a new plant in Japan, aiming to boost its output of control units used in industrial robots as demand grows from emerging economies like China and India.

''A rise in U.S. stocks and a softer yen are helping the market,'' said Tsuyoshi Segawa, equity strategist at Shinko Securities.

''But gains are likely to be limited in the afternoon as investors become cautious before a series of economic events in the United States for clues on whether the volatile U.S. market has really calmed down,'' he said.

Investors are watching U.S. producer and inflation prices, on Thursday and Friday respectively, to confirm whether the growing inflation fears are justified.

The Nikkei was up 113.09 points at 17,845.86 as of 0046 GMT, and the broader TOPIX index added 0.68 percent to 1,757.71.

The dollar climbed to a 4-1/2-year high against the yen on Wednesday. In late afternoon trading in New York, the dollar rose 0.9 percent against the yen, changing hands at about 122.73 yen close to the session high of 122.76 yen.

A weaker yen is a boon to companies that make the bulk of their sales abroad because it boosts profits when earnings from abroad are brought home.

Segawa also said the market awaits BOJ Governor Toshihiko Fukui's speech on Friday for signs of when the central bank will raise interest rates.

Exporters rose with Kyocera up 0.8 percent at 12,410 yen and Advantest Corp. adding 0.8 percent to 5,200 yen.

Shares of Fanuc advanced 2.7 percent to 11,990 yen.

The central bank is seen keeping interest rates on hold this week as it awaits more proof that the Japanese economy will keep expanding solidly and consumer prices will rise, enabling it to hike rates in months ahead.

BOJ Governor Fukui is scheduled to hold a post-meeting news conference at 3:30 p.m. (0630 GMT) on Friday.

Reuters DKS VP0648