TOKYO, June 25 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

jumped more than 3.5% on Thursday as AI-related shares surged

after U.S. memory chipmaker Micron's upbeat quarterly profit and

revenue forecast.

The Nikkei was up 3.72% at 71,754.53, as of 0159

GMT, set to snap two consecutive sessions of declines, if the

current momentum holds. The broader Topix rose 1.34% to

4,016.71.

The recent downturn in tech-heavy Nikkei followed a sharp

decline in semiconductor firm SK Hynix earlier this

week.

Micron, a key supplier for Nvidia AI

processors alongside South Korean chipmakers, forecast quarterly

profit and revenue well above expectations and said customers

had committed $22 billion to secure memory chip supply, sending

its shares surging 12% in after-hours trade on Wednesday.

Shares of SK Hynix, also a supplier to Nvidia ( NVDA ), rose as much

as 11.1% in early morning trade on Thursday.

"The Nikkei's sharp gain is simply due to Micron's

earnings," said Takamasa Ikeda, senior portfolio manager at GCI

Asset Management.

"The U.S. semiconductor index, which is highly

correlated with the Nikkei, will probably rise later in the

day."

On Thursday, chip-testing equipment maker Advantest ( ADTTF )

jumped 11.8% and chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron ( TOELF )

was up 7.9%.

Shares of memory maker Kioxia ( KXHCF ) rose 9%.

Makers of AI-data centre materials advanced: Murata

Manufacturing ( MRAAF ) and Taiyo Yuden ( TYOYF ) climbed 6.35%

and 11%, respectively.

Defying the broader strength, energy sectors fell after oil

prices extended declines. The mining sector dropped

3.2%, with Inpex ( IPXHF ) down 3.53%, while oil refiners

edged 0.11% lower.

Japanese shippers also slipped, with Kawasaki Kisen

down 3%, while the sector index lost nearly 2%.

Of more than 1,500 stocks on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's

prime market, 74% rose, 21% fell and 3% were flat.