Asian stocks are headed for the best monthly gain since September 2010 after U.S. jobless claims unexpectedly fell and Japan’s inflation accelerated to the fastest pace since 2008.

Nikkei 225 14,760.07 -39.05 -0.26%

Hang Seng 23,205.17 +80.14 +0.35%

S&P/ASX 200 5,307.06 +12.61 +0.24%

Shanghai Composite 2,160.03 +4.22 +0.20%

Tokyo Electric Power Co. gained 6.6 percent as the operator of the crisis-ridden Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear station received approval for nuclear safety checks.

Australand Property  Group gained 2.8 percent in Sydney after JPMorgan Chase & Co. advised buying shares of the developer.

Mirabela Nickel Ltd. slumped 59 percent after the Australian producer of the metal said it may miss its output forecast.