Asian stock markets were buoyant on Monday, lead by shares in Shanghai and Tokyo. The Bank of Japan began a two-day policy meeting at which it's expected to leave its key rate unchanged at 0.5%.
In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 258.98 points, or 1.48 percent, to finish at 17,743.76 while markets in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Philippines were closed for Easter Monday.
Gainers included Advantest Corp., which climbed 4.17 percent to 5,750 yen (US$48.32) and Toyota Motor Corp., which rose 1.89 percent to 7,540 yen (US$63.36). Machinery stocks also gained ground, with Komatsu Ltd. rising 4.26 percent to 2,570 yen (US$21.6).
In China, shares surged to a record closing high for the sixth straight session as banks rebounded after falling last week following a hike in reserve requirements.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 2.3 percent to a record 3,398.95. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 2.1 percent to 907.82, also a record close.
Banks rose Monday as the impact of the central bank's latest hike in the reserve requirement ratio faded.
China Merchants Bank rose 1 percent to 17.42 yuan and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank gained 1.2 percent to 28.60 yuan.
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thailand's shares ended lower as investors continued to take profits after recent gains. The Stock Exchange of Thailand's SET index lost 0.6 percent to close at 688.55 points.
JAKARTA: Indonesian shares rose, helped by gains across Asia markets despite sporadic profit taking limited the gains. The Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite index closed 18.124 points, or 0.96 percent, up to 1,913.735.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's key stock index surged to a 13-year high, led by gains in government-linked companies, property and construction shares. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips rose 1.5 percent to 1,298.35 points.
MUMBAI: India's shares surged 2.5 percent -- the biggest gain in the region -- with the Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-stock Sensitive Index, or Sensex, rising 321.66 points to 13,177.74.
SEOUL: South Korean shares rose to another record high, closing above 1,500 for the first time as construction stocks gained. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 16.91 points, or 1.1 percent, to 1,501.06. It was the third record close in four sessions.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares hit new record, tracking Wall Street's strong cue. The Straits Times Index closed up 54.14 points, or 1.6 percent, at a record close of 3,400.
TAIPEI: Taiwan shares rose to a fresh six-year high, driven up by gains in traditional industries and China-related stocks. The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange rose 51.95 points, or 0.6 percent, at 8056.56.
With files from wire services
