Japan's Nikkei ends higher as AI-related shares rise

By Junko Fujita

TOKYO, May 12 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average ended higher after choppy trade on Tuesday, as investors bought shares that would benefit from growth in artificial intelligence.

The Nikkei .N225 rose 0.52% to 62,742.57, after briefly entering negative territory.

The broader Topix .TOPX climbed 0.83% to 3,872.9.

"Investors bought back chip-related stocks on dips, which helped the Nikkei to end higher," said Shuutarou Yasuda, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Laboratory.

Earlier in the day, investors sold chip-related shares after the South Korean equity benchmark .KS11 sharply fell.

But Tokyo Electron 8035.T gave up early losses to end 0.14% higher. Advantest 6857.T, which fell as much 1.5%, recovered most of its loss to edge 0.26% lower.

Furukawa Electric 5801.T jumped 16% after the fibre optic cable maker announced a stock split. Its peer Fujikura 5803.T jumped 11.6%. They became top percentage gainers on the Nikkei.

Ibiden 4062.T jumped 5.7% after the maker of smartphone components raised its annual sales and profit forecasts.

Technology investor SoftBank Group 9984.T rose 4.25% ahead of its quarterly results on Wednesday.

Trading houses Mitsubishi Corp 8058.T and Mitsui & Co 8031.T rose 4.72% and 3.88%, respectively.

Uniqlo brand owner Fast Retailing 9983.T fell 3.77%, weighing the most on the Nikkei.

Of the more than 1,600 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's prime market, 42% rose, 53% fell, and 3% traded flat.