HONG KONG, Sept 19: Asian markets rose on Wednesday after Japan’s central bank said it would boost an asset-buying scheme to kick-start the economy, which also sent the yen lower against the dollar and euro.

The Bank of Japan said after a two-day policy meeting it would boost an asset-purchasing fund by 10 trillion yen ($128 billion) to 80 trillion yen while also keeping interest rates between zero and 0.1pc.

Tokyo rose to its highest level in more than four months following the BoJ announcement, gaining 1.19 per cent, or 108.44 points, to 9,232.21. It was the best finish for the Nikkei 225 index at the Tokyo Stock Exchange since May 2.

Sydney also closed at its highest level since May, gaining 0.54 per cent, or 23.7 points, at 4,418.4 while Seoul was 0.15 per cent higher, or 2.92 points, at 2,007.88.

Hong Kong rose 1.16 per cent, or, 239.98 points, to 20,841.91 while Shanghai was up 0.40 per cent, or 8.29 points, to 2,067.83. Mumbai was closed for a public holiday.

Singapore closed up 0.25 per cent, or 7.65 points, to 3,075.63.

Kuala Lumpur gained 0.37 per cent, or 6.0 points,to end at 1,646.11.

Jakarta closed 0.49 per cent, or 20.82 points, higher at 4,244.71.—AFP