Tokyo stocks edge up in quiet trade, shippers rise

TOKYO, Aug 28 (Reuters) The Nikkei average edged 0.2 percent higher on Tuesday, shrugging off a drop on Wall Street and a firmer yen, with rises in shipping firms such as Nippon Yusen KK offsetting drops in exporters and retailers.

Trade was very thin, with the downside solid but gains limited by long-term concerns over the state of the U.S. economy following the releasing of poor housing data on Monday.

The benchmark Nikkei ended the morning up 30.67 points at 16,332.06, just off the session high of 16,343.28. The broad TOPIX index also crept higher to end the morning at 1,590.18, up 0.15 percent.

Reuters RKM VP0755