Most Asian markets advanced Monday, with Taiwanese shares rallying on China Airlines and financials such as Cathay Financial Holding Co., as investors hoped the weekend election result would lead to closer ties with China.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index shed just 0.02 percent to 12,480.1.
Financial markets were closed in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand for Easter.
Among the day's gainers in Japan were auto shares, which benefited from a weaker yen. Toyota Motor Corp. rose 1 percent and Honda Motor Co. added 2.5 percent.
Bank shares and steel makers also fared well, with Mizuho Financial Group rising 3 percent and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group gaining 2.5 percent. Among steel makers, JFE Holdings advanced 3.8 percent, and Nippon Steel ended up 4.2 percent.
Electronics shares were weaker. Canon Inc. fell 0.9 percent and Sony Corp. lost 0.7 percent.
Elsewhere:
Taiwan's Weighted Price Index jumped 4 percent to 8,865.4.
The Shanghai Composite Index fell 4.5 percent to 3,626.19, its lowest close since July 5.
South Korea's Kospi added 0.6% to 1,655.30, extending gains after finishing higher Thursday in the wake of an advance on Wall Street.
with files from other wire services
