Asian shares gain as Tokyo hits four-month high

Asian shares were broadly higher Monday in thin holiday trade, as investors cheered better-than-expected economic data out of Japan and Beijing's pledge to maintain stimulus measures, dealers said. Tokyo enjoyed a 1.33 percent gain to hit a four-month high on data showing Japan's industrial production increased 2.6 percent in November, the sharpest rise since May. Shanghai powered 1.51 percent higher after Premier Wen Jiabao said that Beijing would maintain economic stimulus measures, dealers said. Wen said in an interview with state media at the weekend that his government would in 2010 continue to implement macro-economic policies aimed at stimulating growth and fighting the global financial crisis. Seoul added 0.19 percent, with nuclear power-related companies gaining after a Korean consortium led by KEPCO won a landmark contract worth about 20.4 billion dollars to build four reactors in the United Arab Emirates. However, Hong Kong bucked the regional trend, edging 0.17 percent lower after a government auction of land for residential development failed to meet expectations. Markets in India, Australia and New Zealand were closed for public holidays.