The pan-European Stoxx 600 was up around 0.4 percent shortly after the opening bell, with all sectors and major bourses in positive territory.
The Nikkei share average ended 0.7 percent higher to 21,821.16. Last week, the benchmark index slipped 2.6 percent, hit by a drop in oil prices and tech shares.
• China stocks rose on Monday as investors took heart from policy support measures aimed at shoring up weak markets and promoting growth, and as speculation swirls about a possible cut in benchmark lending rates.
At the midday break, the Shanghai Composite index was up 5.99 points, or 0.22 percent, at 2,685.10.
Reference: Reuters, CNBC