Nikkei closes at 2 week-high on oil rebound; Showa Shell soars on M&A report

By Thomas Wilson TOKYO, Dec 22(Reuters) - Japanese stocks advanced on Monday as rebounding crude prices underpinned oil-related shares. The Nikkei benchmark ticked up 0.1 percent to end the day at 17,635.14, its highest closing level since Dec. 9. The Tokyo Stock Exchange oil and coal products companies subindex starred, gaining 8.4 percent as oil staunched its recent losses. U.S. crude added 1.4 percent to $57.88 a barrel. Oil refiner Showa Shell Sekiyu soared 27.7 percent