Nikkei up 1.2 pct after Fannie, Freddie bailout

(Updates with open)

TOKYO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average rose 1.2 percent on Monday, led higher by bank shares after the U.S. government took control of troubled mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae (FNM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Freddie Mac (FRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research).

By 0001 GMT the benchmark Nikkei .N225 had added 147.70 points to 12,359.93. It booked the lowest close since March 18 on Friday and fell 6.6 percent last week.

The broader Topix .TOPX gained 1.1 percent to 1,183.36 on Monday. (Reporting by Aiko Hayashi)