Asian Market Update

Asian markets were mixed Thursday following a record close on Wall Street, while the dollar pushed towards 115 yen for the first time in seven years, after Republicans took control of the US Congress.

Focus will now be on the release Friday of US jobs data, which will give the latest snapshot of the economy and give an idea about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates.

Tokyo stocks rose 0.37 per cent, as last week's Bank of Japan monetary easing announcement helped the Nikkei to a fifth straight gain that has seen it clock up more than 10 per cent.

Seoul gained 0.18 per cent, Hong Kong dipped 0.10 per cent and Sydney lost 0.11 per cent while Shanghai was flat.

US shares jumped after Republicans ousted Democrats as the main party in the Senate for the first time in eight years, raising hopes the gridlock that has paralysed Washington for years could be broken.