TOKYO: Japanese stocks have risen on bets the government will unveil a stimulus package that could be double the size initially expected. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is looking to compile a package of at least 20 trillion yen ($186bn; £141bn) according to the Kyodo News agency.
The world’s third-largest economy is still trying to emerge from deflation. Both the benchmark Nikkei 225 closed trading 0.8% higher at 16,810.22. In the currency market, the Japanese yen fell to a six-week low against the US dollar. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 finished 0.4% up at 5,512.40 points.
South Korea’s Kospi wrapped the day flat at 2,012.22 points. In China, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.5% to close at 22,000.49 while the mainland Shanghai Composite ended 0.4% higher at 3,039.01.