TOKYO (Reuters) - Shares in Toshiba Corp (>> Toshiba Corp) rose on Monday morning after a report that U.S. unit Westinghouse Electric Co could file for bankruptcy protection as early as Tuesday and is seeking support from South Korea's Korea Electric Power Corp (>> Korea Electric Power Corporation).

Toshiba's shares were last up 0.5 percent at 224 yen after earlier rising as high as 232 yen, against the backdrop of a broader market downturn. The Nikkei stock average <.N225> was down 1 percent.

Toshiba said on Monday that whether or not Westinghouse files for bankruptcy is ultimately a decision for its board.

(Reporting by Tokyo markets team; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Stocks treated in this article : Toshiba Corp, Korea Electric Power Corporation