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"We'll probably see more headwinds from Europe"
- Pauline Dan, chief investment officer at Samsung Asset Management
Japanese banks were closed on Tuesday in observance of the Bank Holiday.
Japanese stocks edged higher on Friday amid hopes the U.S. economy is gaining steam. The Nikkei 225 rose 0.67%, or 56.46 points, to 8,455.35, while the broader Topix advanced 0.90%, or 6.49, to 728.61.
"Positive economic data provide a catalyst for a small new-year rally," said Pauline Dan, who oversees $480 million as chief investment officer at Samsung Asset Management in Hong Kong. "We'll probably see more headwinds from Europe."
Japan's Cabinet Office is to announce month on month change in core machinery orders on December 10. Orders dropped 6.9 percent in November, after declining 8.2 percent in October.