The record-breaking rally in Asia continued Monday, with Japanese machinery stocks such as Komatsu and Fanuc pacing gains in Tokyo as the government reported significantly stronger growth in core machinery orders.
In Tokyo, Nikkei 225 index was up 121.04 points, or 0.7%, at 18,261.98 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index finished up 1.3% at 22,817.43.
Shares of Komatsu rose 1.9% and Fanuc added 1.3%, gaining after Japan's Cabinet Office said the total value of machinery orders received by 280 manufacturers operating in Japan increased by 5.8% in May from the previous month.
Banking shares also gained ground in Tokyo, with Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group adding 1.5% each.
ELSEWHERE:
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares climbed 0.3 percent to 1,373.84 points.
SEOUL: South Korea's Kospi ended 1.2% higher at 1,883.59.
SHANGHAI: China's Shanghai Composite rose 2.7% to 3,883.22.
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Weighted index rose 2% to a fresh seven-year peak of 9,369.84.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's NZX 50 index advanced 0.4% to 4,238.65.
SYDNEY: Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.8% at 6,400.60.
With files from wire services
