Nikkei claws up as exporters boosted by weaker yen

(Updates to midmorning)

TOKYO, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei stock average edged up 0.1 percent on Friday as the yen slipped against the dollar, bolstering Canon Inc (7751.T) and other exporters, with a rise in U.S. stocks due to lower oil prices also giving a boost. A surge in a key freight index powered shippers higher, while most mega-banks, battered earlier this week, recovered a bit on short-covering. The benchmark Nikkei .N225 gained 13.37 points to rise to 12,970.17, while the broader Topix rose 0.1 percent to 1,239.66. (Reporting by Elaine Lies)