Asian shares rise ahead of G20 meeting Asian shares inched up in cautious trade as investors were looking ahead to the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers over the weekend. Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average added 0.2 per cent although data showed the Japanese economy shrank 0.1 per cent in the October-December period from the previous quarter. The weak data added pressure on the Bank of Japan to introduce more aggressive easing measures to shore up the slowing economy. The BoJ will conclude its monthly policy meeting later in the day but is not expected to take any drastic action, after announcing a 2 per cent inflation target and fresh open-ended asset purchases at its last meeting. Investors are closely watching for any comments from the central bank on currency rates amid growing criticism that Tokyo is unfairly weakening its currency. The yen has depreciated more than 7 per cent against the dollar this year, driving up the Nikkei index more than 8 per cent. But the sharp drop in the yen's value may spark some criticism from the G20 members at their meeting in Moscow on Friday and Saturday amid growing tension over currency rates. Automakers were hit by profit-taking with Nissan Motor off 1.3 per cent amid the firming yen. Meanwhile, some Japanese shares were buoyed by positive earnings with brewer Asahi Group Holdings surging 7.4 per cent after posting a record fiscal-year profit and announcing a share buy-back plan. South Korea's Kospi Composite index advanced 0.2 per cent as the firmer yen boosted automakers, with Kia Motors up 1.7 per cent. The Bank of Korea left interest rates unchanged at 2.75 per cent at its monthly policy meeting on Thursday, pausing for a fourth consecutive month. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index gained 0.1 per cent to a near four-and-a-half year high as miners gained ground. Alumina climbed 12 per cent after Citic Resources Holdings agreed to buy a stake in the company for A$452m. Rio Tinto jumped 1.9 per cent ahead of its earnings due later in the day. Hong Kong stocks were higher as investors returned from the Lunar New Year holiday. Banks and property developers led the gains with HSBC jumping 1.9 per cent and energy producer Cnooc rising 1.4 per cent after receiving an approval from US regulators for its $15bn acquisition of Canada's Nexen. In currency markets, the yen was trading 0.2 per cent higher at Y93.15 after hitting its lowest level since May 2010 of Y94.47 on Monday. It gained 0.3 per cent to Y125.22 per euro after reaching its weakest level since April 2010 of Y127.71 last week.