Asian stocks rose as Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed above 15,000 for the first time since January 2008 after the yen touched a 4 1/2-year low against the dollar, boosting the earnings outlook for exporters.

Nikkei 225 15,096.03 +337.61 +2.29%

Hang Seng 23,039.76 +109.48 +0.48%

S&P/ASX 200 5,191.7 -29.29 -0.56%

Shanghai Composite 2,224.8 +7.79 +0.35%

Sony Corp. surged 10 percent as billionaire Danie Loeb pushed for the initial public offering of the Japanese electronics maker's entertainment business.

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, climbed 3.7 percent in Tokyo.

Li & Fung Ltd., a supplier of toys and clothes to retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., jumped 9.9 percent in Hong Kong after UBS AG raised its rating on the stock.