Asian stocks held gains, with the regional benchmark index headed for its highest close since June 2008, after the Bank of Japan maintained its plan to expand the monetary base.

Nikkei 225 15,627.26 +246.24 +1.60%

S&P/ASX 200 5,165.4 -14.66 -0.28%

Shanghai Composite 2,302.54 -2.57 -0.11%

Sony Corp. surged 7.4 percent in Tokyo after a person familiar with the matter said the company's board will evaluate spinning off its entertainment division.

Sojitz Corp., a Japanese importer of rare-earth metals, surged 13 percent after the Nikkei reported the trading company's profit will rise.

Seven West Media Ltd. sank 7.9 percent after KKR & Co. sold a stake in Australia's most-watched television broadcaster