TOKYO, July 30 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rose

on Thursday, driven by sharp gains in Advantest ( ADTTF ) after the

chip-testing equipment maker raised its annual profit forecast,

while banks dragged the broader Topix lower.

The Nikkei was up 0.81% at 61,934.03 as of 0050 GMT,

while the Topix fell 0.81% to 3,941.8.

Advantest ( ADTTF ) jumped 10% after raising its annual

operating profit forecast by 35% on Wednesday as AI spending

drives demand for its chip-testing equipment.

"Thanks to Advantest's ( ADTTF ) tremendous outlook, shares in other

chip-related stocks rose," said Kazuaki Shimada, chief

strategist at IwaiCosmo Securities.

Chip-making equipment maker Tokyo Electron ( TOELF ) rose

4.3%. Memory maker Kioxia ( KXHCF ) jumped 11%.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group ( MUFG ) and Sumitomo Mitsui

Financial Group ( SMFG ) lost 2.58% and 1.8%, respectively.

"This is a typical trend in recent sessions where AI-related

shares are strong, value shares such as banks are sold off,"

said Shimada.

Of the more than 1,500 stocks trading on the Tokyo Stock

Exchange's prime market, 14% rose, 84% fell and 1% traded flat.