Asian markets rise on fresh growth hopes

HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets rose on Wednesday, with Tokyo rebounding from the previous day's losses as dealers welcomed the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) latest stimulus push.

Trade was thin, with Wall Street closed for a second day as superstorm Sandy hit New York. Investors were also awaiting the release of key data, including on Chinese manufacturing and US jobs.

Tokyo rose 0.98 per cent to 8,928.29, Sydney gained 0.7 per cent to close at 4,517, and Seoul was 0.66 per cent higher at 1,912.06.

Hong Kong rose 1 per cent, to 21,641.82, while Shanghai closed up 0.32 per cent at 2,068.88.