Nikkei up 1 pct; Canon, blue-chip exporters gain

(Updates to early trade)

TOKYO, July 13 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei average rose 0.98 percent on Friday with blue-chip issues such as Canon Inc. (7751.T) rising following a surge on Wall Street.

The benchmark Nikkei average .N225 was up 176.88 points at 18,161.02. It finished the previous session down 0.36 percent at 17,984.14, the lowest finish since June 28.

The broader TOPIX index climbed 1.06 percent to 1,781.68.