Japan stocks set for higher start as investors watch oil prices

Japan stocks set for higher start as investors watch oil prices

SINGAPORE — Shares in Japan led gains in Asia-Pacific during Wednesday morning trade, as investors monitored oil prices and continued to assess the outlook for U.S. Federal Reserve monetary policy. The rose 1.82% as shares of jumped 4.96%, while the Topix index advanced 1.34%. South Korea's gained 0.94%. Over in Australia, the climbed 0.53%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan traded 0.27% higher. Oil watch Investors monitored moves in the oil markets, with sources telling CNBC that the over its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In the morning of Asia trading hours on Wednesday, international benchmark slipped 0.63% to $114.75 per barrel. shed 0.53% to $108.69 per barrel. Oil prices have slipped after gains in the past few days, though Brent continues sitting above the $100 per barrel mark that it fell below last week. Overnight on Wall Street, the S&P 500 climbed 1.13% to 4,511.61. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 254.47 points, or 0.74%, to 34,807.46. The Nasdaq Composite surged 1.95% to 14,108.82. Markets will continue to assess the outlook for U.S. policy. U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman said earlier this week that the central bank is set to take tough action on inflation, with . Currencies The