Stocks in Asia-Pacific rose on Tuesday as markets in mainland China remain closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 grew 383.6 points, or 1.3%, to 30,467.75.
The Japanese yen traded at 105.51 per U.S. dollar after weakening yesterday from levels below 105.2 against the greenback.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng leaped 573.09 points, or 1.9%, to 30,746.66.
Cinema stocks listed in Hong Kong surged on Tuesday, with IMAX China up 31.1%, and Alibaba Pictures surging 34.6%. Reuters reported Tuesday that Chinese box offices set a revenue record for the week beginning Feb. 11, citing data compiled by online ticketing platform Maoyan Entertainment.
Minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s February monetary policy meeting, released on Tuesday showed members concluding that "very significant monetary support would be required for some time as it would be some years before the Bank’s goals for inflation and unemployment were achieved."
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7776, still higher than levels below $0.772 seen last week.
In other markets
Markets in mainland China and Taiwan remained closed for holiday.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index eked up 3.82 points, or 0.1%, to 2,935.34.
In Korea, the Kospi gained 16.25 points, or 0.5%, to 3,163.25.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 hiked 100.16 points, or 0.8%, to 12,160.72.
In Australia, the ASX 200 picked up 48.36 points, or 0.7%, to 6,927.27.
