Asia Pacific markets closed higher on Thursday, as recent investor worries over an elevation in U.S.-China trade tensions abated.
The Nikkei 225 Index leaped 325.87 points, or 1.5%, to 21,645.42, closing above its 200-day moving average.
Meanwhile, the Kospi gained, driven by gains in the tech sector as heavyweight Samsung Electronics surged 3.9%. The tech giant is due to release its first-quarter earnings guidance on Friday.
Shipbuilders also traded higher, while automakers slipped.
In Australia, markets edged higher, with the heavily weighted financials subindex rising 1.1% Despite the broader gains on the index, the materials sector slipped 0.6%. Mining majors traded lower, with Rio Tinto sliding 1.2%
Worries over trade rhetoric, which ramped up after China unveiled plans for additional tariffs on 106 U.S. products, waned after overtures were made regarding potential negotiation between the two countries.
The U.S. dollar extended gains against the safe-haven yen following Wall Street's overnight rebound, trading at 107.06 by day’s end. That compared to levels around the 105 handle seen at the beginning of the week.
Markets in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Taiwan were closed for the Ching Ming Festival on Thursday.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi recovered 29.46 points, or 1.2%, to 2,437.52
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regained 65.95 points, or 2%, to 3,405.65
In New Zealand, the NZD 50 Index slid 34.1 points, or 0.4%, to 8,363.99
In Australia, the ASX 200 Index acquired 27.45 points, or 0.5%, to 5,788.81
