HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets were mostly higher Wednesday with Japan's Nikkei rising after a survey of business confidence showed a surprise pick-up and the dollar broke above 110 yen for the first time in more than six years.

The dollar extended its run-up despite disappointing indicators out of Washington Tuesday, while the euro continues to struggle after eurozone inflation hit a five-year low.

Tokyo edged up 0.26 per cent by the break and Sydney edged up marginally 0.31 per cent but Seoul was 0.66 per cent lower. Hong Kong and Shanghai were closed for public holidays but markets are keeping a nervous watch on the southern Chinese financial hub as a pro-democracy protest moves into its fourth day.

Following the weekend police tear gassing of demonstrators, there had been fears of clashes as the city's government marked Chinese National Day Wednesday but by mid-morning there had been no incident.

Protestors, who have shut down some of the city's main thoroughfares, have vowed to stay put until Beijing agrees to give them full universal suffrage.