Asian shares advance after weaker US price data push Wall Street higher, and a rate hike in Japan

Asian shares were moderately higher and U.S. futures were mixed after the Bank of Japan raised its key policy rate Friday to its highest level in 30 years. It took the benchmark rate to 0.75%, which is still low compared with other major economies. Regional shares advanced after stocks on Wall Street rose Thursday following an encouraging report on inflation that could help the Federal Reserve keep cutting interest rates next year.