Asian shares ended higher Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 advancing 1.4% on strength in exporters such as Honda and NEC after the yen weakened to its lowest-ever level against the euro and to a multi-week low against the dollar.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Average climbed 234.16 points, or 1.40 percent, to finish at 17,011.04 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 275.57 points, or 1.5 percent, to finish at 19,240.12.
Traders said investors snapped up autos, issues in interest-sensitive sectors like steels and machinery makers after Japan's central bank decided Tuesday to leave its benchmark interest rate at 0.25 percent, as widely expected.
After Tuesday's meeting, Bank of Japan Gov. Toshihiko Fukui said that personal spending and consumer prices remain weak.
The BOJ raised a key interest rate for the first time in July from virtually zero, reflecting its confidence in the nation's recovery.
Players now are predicting the bank may raise its interest rate in the next policy-setting meeting in January, if conditions improved.
Toyota Motor Corp. rose 1.34 percent to 7,550 yen ($63.98) and Elpida Memory Inc. added 2.52 percent to 6,100 yen ($51.69) -- both all-time high closing prices.
Other gainers included Nippon Steel Corp., which climbed 4.18 percent to 598 yen ($5.07) and Komatsu Ltd., which posted a 4.25 percent to 2,330 yen ($19.75). Banks also advanced, with Mizuho Financial Group Inc. gaining 1.06 percent to 858,000 yen ($7,271.19).
Elsewhere:
JAKARTA: Indonesia's market closed higher as fears over any contagion effect stemming from Thailand's crisis subsided. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index climbed 30.12 points, or 1.73 percent, to close at 1,766.79.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares rose, with the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips climbing 15.94 points, or 1.5 percent, to close at 1,076.30 points.
MANILA: Philippine shares declined as investors used the Bank of Thailand's restrictions on foreign investment as an excuse to cash in on gains. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 20.14 points, or 0.7 percent, at 2,829.57.
SEOUL: South Korean shares closed higher, led by a new record-high close on Wall Street and a rebound in Thailand's stock market following a plunge the day before. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 14.52 points, or 1 percent, to 1,442.28.
SHANGHAI: Chinese stocks hit a record high for their fifth straight session, boosted by an unexpectedly strong trading debut by a major power company. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.4 percent to close at 2,373.21 points. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 1.4 percent to 547.26.
SINGAPORE: Singapore shares rebounded from sharp declines the day before. The Straits Times Index rose 23.5 points, or 0.8 percent, to 2,920.8.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares rose slightly as investors picked up value in issues related to raw materials. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Market gained 49.47 points, or 0.7 percent, to 7,648.35.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand stocks hit a record high, closing above 4,000 for the first time on continued gains in heavyweight Telecom, and the market is expected to remain positive for the week. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 24.4 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 4,004.96 -- its highest ever level.
SYDNEY: The Australian market closed at a record high, boosted by strong gains in Asian markets. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed up 0.9 percent at 5,607.8 points.
With files from wire services
