Japan's Nikkei rose for a fourth straight day on Thursday after the yen weakened, but gains were capped by dismal earnings from companies such as Toyota Motor Corp.
The Nikkei share average gained 0.4 percent to 16,646.34 points, the highest closing level since April 28.
China stocks clawed back initial losses on Thursday as Beijing's announcement of a $724 billion transport investment plan bolstered infrastructure shares and eased fears of a possible shift in economic policies.
The CSI300 index of the largest listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose 0.2 percent to 3,090.14 points, while the Shanghai Composite Index was unchanged at 2,835.86 points. They had earlier fallen to two-month lows.
The confidence of investors had been hurt by a People's Daily article on Monday that hinted Beijing will no longer use rapid credit expansion and loose monetary policies to stimulate growth, after a sharp rise in government spending and bank lending in the first quarter of the year.
Hong Kong's benchmark stock index fell to a 10-week closing low on Thursday, following a dismal day on Wall Street.
The Hang Seng index declined 0.7 percent, to 19,915.46, the lowest closing since March 1. The China Enterprises Index lost 0.4percent, to 8,413.72 points.
The energy sector was the only main one ending with a gain.
Reference: Reuters
Thai
Eng