Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 1.8% to 40,285.25, as shares in automakers and other major exporters rose. A weak yen boosts profits for exporters and companies with big operations overseas when they convert their earnings into yen.

The Dow closed slightly higher on Thursday while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed lower in the second day of a so-called Santa Claus rally period.

Stocks are drifting higher on Wall Street in light trading as U.S. markets reopen following the Christmas holiday.

Indexes fell in their first trading day after Christmas as traders hope for a so-called Santa Clause rally to propel markets higher into the new year.

Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 slipped less than

Asian shares were mostly higher Thursday in thin post-Christmas holiday trading, while oil prices rose. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were 0.2% lower after markets were closed Wednesday for the Christmas holiday.