Nikkei up as Wall St. rally calms China worries

(Updates to early trade)

TOKYO, May 31 (Reuters) - The Nikkei share average rose 0.72 percent at the start of trade on Thursday as shares of technology firms such as Advantest Corp. (6857.T) rose after gains on Wall Street eased concerns about China's stock sell-off.

The Nikkei share average .N225 was up 142.39 points at 17,730.65 as of 0006 GMT.

The broader TOPIX index gained 0.62 percent to 1,744.52.