Nikkei rises as Kyocera up ahead of earnings

(Updates to midmorning)

TOKYO, Jan 30 (Reuters) - The Nikkei share average rose 0.36 percent on Tuesday as Kyocera Corp. (6971.T) and other technology firms gained ahead of their earnings results, while steel makers such as Nakayama Steel Works Ltd. (5408.T) advanced on expectations of industry consolidation.

Shares of Sony Corp. (6758.T) fell, however, as investors unloaded the electronics and entertainment conglomerate ahead of its earnings results due out after the close.

"There are expectations (technology firms) will post good results," said Toru Otsuka, deputy general manager of investment information at Mizuho Investors Securities.

"I think they will. There are a lot of companies that have estimated an exchange rate of 113 or 114 yen to the dollar. Given the recent weakness of the yen they are likely to benefit."

The Nikkei .N225 was up 62.80 points at 17,533.26.

The broad TOPIX index was up 0.46 percent at 1,741.52

The yen was near a four-year low against the dollar at 121.65 to the U.S. currency.

A weak yen is a boon for technology firms and others that make the bulk of their sales abroad, because it boosts profits when earnings from overseas are brought home.

Electronic components Kyocera was up 2.2 percent at 11,250 yen. The company is due to report its results later on Tuesday.

Likewise, TDK Corp. (6762.T) was up 0.6 percent at 10,180 yen. It is also due to report its earnings results later in the day.

Nakayama Steel Works gained 10.6 percent to 500 yen.

Nippon Steel Corp. (5401.T) plans to raise its stake in Nakayama, becoming the top shareholder in the electric-furnace steel maker, the Nikkei business daily said on Tuesday. Nippon Steel, Japan's largest steel maker, gained 0.7 percent to 716 yen.

But Sony declined ahead of its earnings, losing 2.3 percent to 5,600 yen.