TOKYO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average

rose on Friday after two straight sessions of falls, as

chip-related stocks tracked artificial intelligence darling

Nvidia ( NVDA ) higher.

The Nikkei had gained 1.02% to 38,415.32 by the

midday break, but was set to fall 1.6% for the week.

The broader Topix rose 0.8% to 2,704.34, but was

poised for a 1% weekly loss.

"Nvidia's ( NVDA ) gains lifted sentiment and investors bought back

Japanese stocks," said Naoki Fujiwara, senior general manager at

Shinkin Asset Management.

"And it was time for making active bets after the Nikkei

fell below 38,000 in the previous session."

The Nikkei index hit a low of 37,945.21 in intraday trade on

Thursday, falling below 38,000 for the first time since Nov. 1.

The index closed at its lowest since Oct. 25.

Wall Street's main indexes closed higher after a choppy

session on Thursday, with the blue-chip Dow and the S&P 500

hitting one-week tops.

Shares of Wall Street's biggest company, Nvidia ( NVDA ),

climbed 0.5% after teetering following the earnings release on

Wednesday. The U.S. semiconductor index rose 1.6%.

In Japan, chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron ( TOELF )

jumped 2.5%. Chip-testing equipment maker Advantest ( ADTTF )

rose 1.78%. Chip materials maker Resonac ( SHWDF )

jumped 3.84%.

All but three of the Tokyo Stock Exchange's 33 industry

sub-indexes rose, with refiners rising 3.25% to

become the top performer.

The drug sector slipped 0.1% and was the worst

performer, with Daiichi Sankyo ( DSKYF ) falling 0.94% to weigh

the most on the Topix. Chugai Pharmaceutical ( CHGCF ) lost

0.91%.

Of the 225 stocks on the Nikkei, 172 rose and 50 fell, with

three trading flat.