Nikkei tiptoes up as earnings support sentiment; BOJ outcome eyed

* Asahi Group Holdings soars on share buyback and record profit * Chipmakers in favour after U.S. competitor releases strong forecast * BOJ in spotlight, likely to stand pat on policy By Sophie Knight TOKYO, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average inched up in early trade on Thursday as robust earnings spurred on chipmakers and a handful of other companies. Still, overall buying activity was relatively restrained, partly as the market was not expecting any fresh easi