Japanese stocks scored a new 15-year closing high on Tuesday, after the Bank of Japan stood pat on its monetary policy and indicated it is still confident inflation will resume an upward trend without additional easing.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index regained 190.94 points, or 1%, to 19,437, its highest level since April 2000.
The yen weakened a little versus the U.S. dollar to ¥121.42, compared with ¥121.33 late Monday in New York.
The Hang Seng Index faded 48.06 points, or 0.2%, to 23,901.49
Earlier in the day, the BOJ left its massive asset-buying program unchanged and maintained its view that Japan’s economy has "continued its moderate recovery trend."
The central bank said consumer inflation might move "around 0%" for the time being due to declining energy prices. However, it remains confident price growth will begin rising again later in the year without additional stimulus.
Among market movers, electronics giant Hitachi Ltd. jumped 4.3%, and machinery maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. gained 1.8%, after a Nikkei report said the two companies were seeking to lift return on equity.
Likewise, natural-gas provider Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. climbed 2.3% as another Nikkei report suggested the company would buy back shares to increase shareholder return.
In other markets
The Shanghai CSI 300 added 51.45 points, or 1.4%, to 3,757.12
The Taiex index in Taiwan recovered 26.53 points, or 0.3%, to 9,539.44
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slid 6.09 points, or 0.2%, to 3,369.95
The Kospi index in Korea moved up 42.58 points, or 2.1%, to 2,029.91
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gave up 5.99 points, or 0.1%, to 5,905.41
The S&P/ASX index regrouped 44.46 points, or 0.8%, to 5,842.12
