July 22 (Reuters) - Gold rose to its highest since September 2011 on Wednesday, propelled by a softer U.S. dollar and expectation of more stimulus measures to resuscitate pandemic-hit economies which could stoke inflation. * Japan's factory activity contracted for a 15th straight month in July, indicating the economic pain from the coronavirus crisis extended into the third quarter of the year as hopes for a quick global recovery fade. [GOL/ETF] * Asia shares were set to open lower on Wednesday after Trump's comments regarding the country's surge in novel coronavirus cases outweighed a slight rally on Wall Street.