Asian stock market shares rise after US Fed signals low rates will stay

TOKYO, Aug 29 (AP): Asian shares were higher Monday, as investors interpreted comments from the head of the US Federal Reserve as signaling low interest rates were here to stay for some time.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 edged up 0.4% in afternoon trading to 27,763.07. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2% to 7,500.80. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.2% to 3,140.96. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.5% to 25,525.62, while the Shanghai Composite stood at 3,534.37, up 0.4%.