Nikkei up 1.4 pct, shrugs off weak tankan survey

(Updates to midsession)

TOKYO, April 1 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average rose 1.4 percent on Tuesday, led by exporters such as Canon Inc (7751.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) after overnight gains on Wall Street, with the market shrugging off a survey showing Japanese business sentiment has weakened.

The benchmark Nikkei .N225 ended the morning session up at 12,697.99. The broader TOPIX gained 1.4 percent to 1,230.17. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)