Japanese stocks ended up on Monday at their highest closing level in more than seven years, extending a seven-day winning streak.
The Nikkei 225 Index gained 15.19 points, or 0.1% to 17,935.64, , the Nikkei Average NIK, +0.08% inched up 0.1% to end at 17,935.64.
Earlier Monday, revised data showed Japanese economy contracted more than previously reported in the July-to-September period, while statistics from the Ministry of Finance showed Japan posted a surprisingly strong current account surplus in October.
The yen traded at ¥121.28 per U.S. dollar, compared with ¥121.44 late Friday in New York.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index tacked on 45.03, or 0.2%, to 24,047.67
CHINA
Shanghai's CSI 300 Index continued to gather momentum, leaping 128 points, or 4.1%, to 3,252.88, after state media reports said China’s top securities regulators and Shanghai Stock Exchange both published draft rules on stock options.
On Monday, data showed China’s imports fell unexpectedly in November, while exports rose less than expected.
In other markets:
Taiwan's Taiex Index docked 19.28 points, or 0.2%, to 9,187.21
Singapore's Straits Times Index fell 26.55 points, or 0.8%, to 3,297.84
Korea's Kospi Index ditched 7.67 points, or 0.4%, to 1,978.95
New Zealand's 50 Gross Index inched forward 7.41 points, or 0.1%, to 5,529.32
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 37.38 points, or 0.7%, to 5,372.71
