Both Japanese and South Korean stock markets hit record closing highs, with South Korea's KOSPI index rising 2.15%.

The Nikkei 225 index closed up 821.18 points, or 1.38%, at 60,537.36 on Monday, April 27; the South Korean KOSPI index closed up 139.4 points, or 2.15%, at 6,615.03 on the same day, both setting new record closing highs. The Nikkei 225 index closed above 60,000 points for the first time. (Jinshi)