Japan's TOPIX up 3 pct on GDP, U.S. retail sales

TOKYO, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Japan's broad-based TOPIX index rose more than 3 percent in the early afternoon session on Thursday on news that the economy grew more than twice as much as expected in the final quarter of 2007, with strong U.S. retails sales data also providing a boost.

A weaker yen lifted Canon Inc (7751.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and other exporters, while chip-related shares gained after advances by their U.S. peers and trading houses climbed as oil rose and platinum hit a record high.

As of 0355 GMT, the benchmark Nikkei .N225 rose 3.3 percent to 13,502.41. The TOPIX was up 3 percent at 1,323.91. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)