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

rose to a record high on Thursday, shaking off early weakness,

as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's latest policy decision.

Japanese government bond (JGB) yields climbed, mirroring

moves in U.S. Treasuries. The yen strengthened slightly

to 152.56 per U.S. dollar, stabilizing after a 0.3% drop in the

previous session.

The tech-heavy Nikkei added as much as 0.4% to reach

51,513.66 for the first time, before last trading at 51,417.50.

The broader Topix gained 0.4% to 3,290.03.

The BOJ is widely seen leaving policy unchanged later in the

day, with traders focused on any signs that an interest rate

hike might be coming at the next meeting in December or the

following one in January.

The policy announcement doesn't have a set time, but

generally comes between 0330 GMT and 0500 GMT.

The two-year JGB yield rose 1 basis point to

0.95%, matching the level reached on October 1, which was the

highest since June 2008.

Other cash JGB tenors had yet to trade.

Benchmark 10-year JGB futures declined 0.22 yen to

135.91 yen. Yields rise when bond prices fall.