Japan's Nikkei 225 Index ended at a seven-month high Wednesday, led by gains in Toyota Motor Corp. on reports that the automaker has held talks with Ford Motor Co. that may lead to possible tie-up, while a weaker yen also bolstered buying of export-related shares.
Japan's Nikkei 225 Average added 53.96 points, or 0.31 percent, to finish at 17,223.15 points while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 405.21 points, or 2.1 percent, to end at a record 19,725.73.
Toyota Motor Corp. was among Tokyo's winners, adding 1.9 percent to 7,920 yen ($66.68) after reports that the company's chief executive met last week in Tokyo with his counterpart from U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co.
Other winners included Honda Motor Co., up 1 percent to 4,630 yen ($38.98), as well as electronics makers Sony Corp. -- up almost 1 percent to 5,120 yen ($43.10) -- and NEC Corp., which added 1.98 percent to 565 yen ($4.76).
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares ended down 0.1 percent on Wednesday, led by profit-taking in banks and energy blue chips. The Stock Exchange of Thailand's benchmark SET Index edged down 0.84 points to close at 687.88, as trading totaled 1.4 billion shares worth 5.6 billion baht.
MANILA: Philippine shares climbed Wednesday to their best level in nine-and-a-half years on an upbeat economic outlook for the country. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 5.16 points, or 0.9 percent, to 2,883.47 -- its best finish since June 19, 1997.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares rose slightly Wednesday after profit-taking in financial issues erased early gains. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange gained 5.59 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,733.18.
With files from wire services
