DEBORAH MARCHINI, CNN ANCHOR: Asian markets rallied overnight on the heels of better-than-expected tech earnings in the United States. Dalton Tanonaka has the latest, from our bureau in Hong Kong. Hi -- Dalton.</s>DALTON TANONAKA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Deb. You are right. Tokyo stocks are the beneficiary of those upbeat earnings. Sentiment also got a boost from Microsoft's announcement that fourth quarter revenues are stronger than expected as well, the 225 Nikkei tacking on 3.33 percent. Japan's biggest office equipment maker, Cannon, gained 3.4 percent after the close. The company raised its full-year profit forecast to $1.7 billion. Analysts say Tokyo investors, though, remain cautious in light of Japan's economic weakness. The government is keeping up the pressure on the Bank of Japan to do its part for the economy by easing monetary policy. The BOJ began a two-day meeting and will announce any policy decision Friday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 1 percent. Chinese tech heavyweights, such as China Mobile and computer maker Legend Holdings were lifted by the sector gains of the United States. And Taipei's weighted index rebounded nearly 2 percent from Wednesday's near six-year low. Dealers say a gradual recovery in the Taiwan dollar also encouraged bargain hunters to enter that market. And that is the business day here in Asia. Back to you, Deb, in New York.</s>MARCHINI: Dalton, thanks a lot. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Asian Market Update: Tokyo Benefits From U.S. Rally