Asia's regional benchmark stock index headed for its first advance in three days, driven by a rally in Japanese exporters after the yen weakened past 102 versus the dollar. Stocks outside Japan declined.

Nikkei 225 14,782.21 +174.67 +1.20%

S&P/ASX 200 5,210.3 +4.21 +0.08%

Shanghai Composite 2,241.92 -4.91 -0.22%

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, climbed 3.8 percent in Tokyo.

Panasonic Corp. jumped 7.6 percent after Japan's second-largest television maker said it will return to profit this fiscal year.

Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., South Korea's No. 1 shipping line, dropped 5.7 percent after reporting a loss.