Markets in Asia closed higher on Tuesday, taking a generally positive view of comments from U.S. Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen and from on-hold calls from the central bank in Australia
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 95.42 points, or 0.6%, to 16,675.45
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gained 298.02 points, or 1.4%, to 21,328.24
The Japanese yen weakened overnight, with the U.S. dollar/yen pair trading at 107.57 in the afternoon Asia time on Tuesday, compared with levels as low as 106.35 on Monday.
Major exporters in Japan closed mixed, with Toyota shares down 0.2%, Honda up 0.6% and Sony adding 0.6%. A weaker yen is usually a positive for exporters as it increases their overseas profits when converted into local currency.
Energy plays in the region ended mixed, with Santos shares up 4.1%, Oil Search up 2.4% and Inpex gaining 4.4%.
Australian markets pared some of their morning gains following a largely expected central bank decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia
In Australia, the central bank kept its cash rate unchanged at 1.75% largely in line with market expectations. The Australian dollar spiked after the decision, with the Aussie trading at $0.7433 U.S., compared with around $0.7370 before the statement.
In its policy statement, the RBA said overall growth is continuing in the country, despite a "very large decline" in business investment. The labour market indicators have been more mixed of late, but are consistent with continued expansion of employment in the near term
Major Australian miners extended Monday's gains, helped by a weaker dollar. Shares of Rio Tinto rose 1.8%, Fortescue added 2.5% and BHP Billiton was higher by 2.9% extending gains of up to 4.2% on Monday.
CHINA
The CSI 300 Index subtracted 1.74 points, or 0.1%, to 3,177.05.
Chinese mainland oil plays were mostly down, with shares of Sinopec off by 0.3%
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi returned from a long weekend to gain 25.79 points, or 1.3%, to 2,011.63
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index moved higher 16.81 points, or 0.6%, to 2,848.09
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index added 82.79 points, or 1%, to 8,679.90
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 picked up 12.93 points, or 0.2%, to 7,037.31
The ASX 200 gained 10.61 points, or 0.2%, to 5,371.03
