Japan leads Asian stocks
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Japan led Asian stock markets higher today after the country’s central bank announced new measures to support growth. The Nikkei 225 in Tokyo was up 3.1 percent at 14,843.24 after the Bank of Japan said it was doubling the size of its fund to support bank lending and its fund to support economic growth. The funds, which were due to expire shortly, were extended for another year. The Bank of Japan moves come after fourth quarter economic growth fell short of forecasts despite massive fiscal and monetary stimulus intended to engineer a recovery, according to AP.