Japanese equities moved higher ahead of the FOMC meeting results. Persistent speculation that the POBC will loosen its prudent monetary policy also supported Japan's stocks. The Nikkei 225 Index moved higher by 0.39% to trade at 8,995.15. Eight out of ten sectors included in the index soared. Utilities and industrials were the top-performers, climbing by 1.23% and 1.15%. Chubu Electric Power and Kansai Electric Power advanced by 5.47% and 9.26% while FANUC and Amada rose by 1.69% and 1.82%. Creating pressure on the Japanese index, technology shares retreated by 0.28%. Advantest and Tokyo Electron tumbled 3.56% and 1.53%.