The Nikkei Stock Average edges 0.2% higher to 50519.41, tracking Wall Street's gains overnight. Recent U.S. economic data have "painted a mixed but resilient picture," IG's Axel Rudolph says in an email.
Meanwhile, solid job gains and a sharp rise in corporate profits in the U.S. have reinforced the view that the Fed will likely keep rates unchanged in January, the senior technical analyst adds.
Among best performers on Japan's benchmark index, Screen Holdings rises 7.4%, Sumitomo Metal Mining adds 4.2%, and Japan Post Bank is 3.1% higher.
USD/JPY is at 156.07, compared with 156.23 late Tuesday in New York.

Sumber : Dow Jones Newswires