Asian stock markets rise after Fed's stimulus plan

Asian stock markets climbed Friday as investors took heart from the Federal Reserve's plan to buy $600 billion in government bonds in an effort to inject life into the faltering US economy. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index jumped 204.94 points, or 2.2 percent, to 9,364.92 despite pressure on exporters as the dollar fell below the 81 yen level. South Korea's Kospi added 0.3 percent to 1,942.08 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was up 0.4 percent at 4,815.00. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.9 percent to 24,363.54. China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.6 percent to 3,047.78. Elsewhere, markets in Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan advanced while New Zealand's index fell.