Sentiment was supported by a strong session on Wall Street Friday which saw the S&P 500 ending above 1,500 and logging its longest winning streak since November 2004. All three U.S. major averages turned in their fourth-consecutive weekly gain, boosted by a batch of upbeat corporate earnings reports.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei share average struck a 32-month high above 11,000 after the yen weakened over the weekend, although the benchmark quickly pared its gains as investors awaited domestic earnings results for cues.
The benchmark index was up 0.6 percent at 10,994.42 after rising as high as 11,002.89, while the broader Topix put on 0.7 percent to 923.36.
New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for aggressive monetary easing and huge fiscal spending to beat deflation. The yen has fallen some 13 percent since mid-November when he began making those calls as part of his election campaign.
South Korean shares fell, extending losses after the main board closed at an eight-week low on Friday because of the weakening yen and concerns about fourth-quarter earnings.
Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics slid 1.9 percent in early trading after hitting its lowest closing since Nov. 30 on Friday. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index(KOSPI) was down 0.4 percent.
The Shanghai Composite Index opened up 0.2 percent at 2,295.35.
New Zealand shares opened largely flat on Monday in sight of a five year high, with investors consolidating recent gains in a holiday thinned market.
The benchmark NZX 50index rose 1.3 points to 4,201.185 in early trade, with most leaders steady and trading volumes thin.
Australia and Malaysia markets are closed for a public holiday.
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