Asia Stocks Outside Japan Rise as Data Fuel Stimulus Bets

Asian stocks outside Japan rose as comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and economic reports across the region fueled speculation that central banks will boost stimulus measures. Japanese stocks fell as the yen rose against most of its major counterparts.

James Hardie Industries SE, a building-materials supplier that gets 67 percent of sales from the U.S., rose 1.2 percent in Sydney. Shimao Property Holdings Ltd. paced gains among Chinese developers on a report the nation should do more to help economic growth. Samsung Card Co. soared 15 percent in Seoul after the credit-card issuer said it will buy back shares. Canon Inc., a Japanese camera maker that gets 80 percent of sales from exports, lost 1.7 percent.