TOKYO, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

advanced on Tuesday as a weaker yen buoyed investor sentiment,

while long-term domestic bond yields rose to the highest levels

in nearly one month and provided an additional boost to banks

and insurers.

The Nikkei was up 0.24% at 38,792.33, as of 0215

GMT, with 152 of the index's 225 components advancing versus 71

trading lower, while two were flat.

The broader Topix climbed 0.61%, with a sub-index of

value shares adding 0.82% to outperform a 0.4% rise for

growth shares.

Insurers and banks were the top

performers among the Tokyo Stock Exchange's 33 industry groups,

each rallying about 1.6%. Resona Holdings was the Nikkei's

best performing lender, with a 3.4% jump.

Long-term Japanese government bond yields

rose, while equivalent U.S. Treasury yields also

rose on reopening after a public holiday on Monday.

The yen weakened as far as 147.20 per dollar for

the first time in two weeks before last changing hands at

146.65. A softer currency inflates the value of overseas revenue

when repatriated among Japan's many exporters.

"Japan already has good earnings momentum, which is

currently supporting the stock market," and a weaker currency

will boost that further, said Maki Sawada, an equities

strategist at Nomura Securities.

At the same time, investors are keeping a cautious eye on

U.S. economic data, particularly monthly payroll figures due

Friday, Sawada said.

"The overarching theme in the market continues to be the

outlook for monetary policy in Japan and the United States," she

said. "Depending on the result of the jobs report, there is the

potential for the market to swing sharply."

Among exporter shares, Toyota Motor ( TM ) rose 0.38%,

while Nissan ( NSANF ) jumped 1.12%. Shares of Sony Group ( SONY )

advanced 1%.

Semiconductor-related shares were mostly trading lower

though, with chip-testing equipment manufacturer Advantest ( ADTTF )

losing 0.65%. Chip-making machinery giant Tokyo

Electron ( TOELF ) eased 0.3%.