Japanese stocks gained momentum in afternoon trading Thursday, with the Nikkei closing above the 17,000 level for the first time in four sessions as Sony Corp. led export-related shares to a stronger finish after the yen fell against the U.S. dollar.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index surged 325.69 points, or 1.94 percent, to finish at 17,090.31 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 256.53 points, or 1.36 percent, to 19,175.17.
Investors snapped up stocks of Toyota and Canon after the market had plunged 8 percent during a five-session stretch through Monday. The yen's weakness, which helps Japan's exporters, also encouraged investors.
Toyota Motor Corp. rose 1.29 percent to 7,840 yen ($67.01), Canon Inc. added 1.51 percent to 6,160 yen ($52.65) and Sony Corp. posted a 2.92 percent to 5,990 yen ($51.20).
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares ended 0.2 percent higher at 671.98 after a session of lackluster trade, as many investors were waiting to hear economic policies from the newly appointed Finance Minister.
JAKARTA: Indonesian shares surged 1.6 percent at 1,771.56, helped by gains in most Asia markets, plus firmer IDR. Traders said the local market gained momentum and continued its rebounding trend after a sell-off early this week.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares rallied, gaining 2.6 percent at 1,187.06, led by banking stocks and continued bottom-fishing by foreign funds.
MANILA: Philippine shares dropped as investors, prompted by Wall Street losses overnight, cashed in on gains from the previous session. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index shed 34.89 points, or 1.1 percent, at 3,028.37.
MUMBAI: Indian shares bounced back sharply in line with the rebound in Asian markets, with gains led by Hindustan Lever and cement stocks. The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-stock Sensitive Index, or Sensex, surged 3.7 percent, or 469.60 points, at 13,049.35.
SEOUL: South Korean shares advanced for a third consecutive day, led by brokerage stocks and steelmaker Posco. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 12.94 points, or 0.9 percent, to 1,423.89.
SHANGHAI: Chinese shares rose for the third straight session, driven higher by strong demand amid the launch of new securities funds. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 1.1 percent to 2,928.01. The Shenzhen Composite Index surged 1.7 percent to 763.20.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares ended higher for the third session amid lackluster trading, but traders warned last week's correction may not be over. The Straits Times Index gained 63.34 points, or 2.1 percent, to close at 3,122.49.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares rose, led by gains in food and transport stocks. The Weighted Price Index of the Taipei Stock Exchange jumped 92.98 points, or 1.2 percent in heavy volume to close at 7,573.87.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's stocks were slightly higher, but continuing nervousness about global market volatility and a lack of positive local leads kept most investors on the sidelines. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 6.8 points or 0.2 percent to 4,069.40.
SYDNEY: Australian shares closed almost unchanged, but dealers remain nervous ahead of the next moves on Wall Street with the focus turning to Friday's U.S. jobs report. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell just 3 points at 5,822.3, near the day's high.
With files from wire services
