Around the World's Markets: Tokyo

THE NIKKEI ended more than 2 per cent higher at 17,933, with traders waiting to see if further monetary easing steps are announced to help stem the yen's rising trend at the Bank of Japan's policy-setting meeting.

After the close, the Bank of Japan bucked government pressure to ease monetary policy - a victory for its independence but a setback for government efforts to stop a strong yen from undermining the economic recovery.