Tokyo, Japan (BBN)-Shares in Tokyo have started the day higher despite weak export data suggesting that the global demand slump continues to weigh down Japan’s economy.
Exports in March fell by 6.8 per cent compared to a year earlier, reports BBC.
Imports in turn dropped even sharper, by 14.9 per cent leaving the country with the highest trade surplus in five years.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose by 0.5 per cent to 16,951.75 points in early trade.
In China, the mainland benchmark Shanghai Composite fell slightly by 0.3 per cent to 3,034.07
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.4 per cent to 21,341.60 points
In Australia, the ASX/200 was up by 0.3 per cent to 5,205.50 points
In South Korea, the Kospi index traded flat at 2,015.40 points
Shares in the Australian mining giant BHP Billiton rose 3.2 per cent while Rio Tinto was 3.7 per cent higher.
The strong gains come after BHP Billiton followed Rio Tinto in cutting its guidance for iron ore output citing bad weather and rail maintenance.
The reduction of shipments into the oversupplied global market is thought to help the recovery in iron ore prices.
BBN/SK/AD