Asian stocks rose, with Japanese shares posting their biggest annual advance since 2005, after a report that the country’s consumer prices fell fanned speculation the central bank will respond to government calls for more asset purchases.

Nikkei 225 10,395.18 +72.20 +0.70%

S&P/ASX 200 4,671.3 +23.34 +0.50%

Shanghai Composite 2,233.25 +27.35 +1.24%

Canon Inc., the world’s biggest camera maker, increased 2.1 percent, leading gains among Japanese exporters.

Toshiba Corp. climbed 5 percent after the manufacturer said it’s in talks to sell a stake in its Westinghouse Electric atomic-power unit.

BHP Billiton Ltd., Australia’s largest oil producer, advanced 1.1 percent after crude and metal prices rose.