Asia shares rise as fed maintains near-zero rates

Asian markets celebrated the Federal Reserve's decision on Wednesday to maintain near-zero interest rates, with the main market bourses experiencing soft gains on Thursday morning.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.41% to 18,979.88 points within the first hour of trade, while Tokyo's broader Topix gauge was up 0.24% at 1,550.93 points.

Korea's benchmark Kospi index jumped 0.83% to 2,059.47 points on Thursday morning in Seoul.

The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.50% lower at 5,308.30 points in Sydney, with Australia's mighty banks weighing on the index.

New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index rose 0.09% to 6,004.28 points this afternoon in Wellington.