Nikkei at 8-mth closing high, autos up in wake of GM

TOKYO, June 2 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.3 percent on Tuesday, logging an eight-month closing high for the second straight day, with carmakers up after uncertainty about General Motors GM.N cleared in the wake of its bankruptcy filing. Blue-chip tech shares such as Advantest Corp (6857.T) climbed on growing hopes for the U.S. economy, but gains were checked by falls in shippers, with investors locking in profits after recent sharp gains. The benchmark Nikkei .N225 gained 26.56 points to 9,704.31, its highest close since Oct. 7, while the broader Topix rose 0.1 percent to 913.56. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)