The first trading day of 2010 on Monday remained positive for Asian Stock Markets, as most markets touched 17-months high amid hopes of better economic prospectus during the year.

Major European markets, on the other hand, reported mixed response with Britain's FTSE 100 declined 0.4 percent while Germany's DAX rose 0.1 percent in early trades. US stock future too rose 0.4 percent, on back of positive news flow.

Asian currencies took momentum in the hope of broader economic recovery in the export segment but the development would pave a challenge to the stability of currencies during the current year.

Patrick Bennett, Asia foreign exchange and rates strategist with Societe Generale in Hong Kong added, "Throughout the last months of last year we highlighted the expectation of Asian currency out-performance and for that to show up best against G3 excluding the U. S. dollar."

Japan's Nikkei share average reported its highest growth rate of 1 per cent since Oct 3, 2008 due to robust performance of technology firms. Japan Airlines Corp emerged as top gainer with 31 percent increase in its shares.