Japanese shares lead Asia's gains in early trade

It was a mixed picture for Asian shares at the start of a week shortened by holidays, amid quiet trade as Japanese shares lead the region's gains. The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was up 0.1% to 18,792.67 despite economic data painting a gloomier picture of the world's third largest economy. Data showed Japan's factory output fell 1% in November from the previous month, marking the first fall in three months. Retail sales also fell below forecasts and declined 1% from a year ago. Japan's economy narrowly avoided a recession in the third quarter and economists are expecting only modest growth in the current one. Advertisement Shares of Sharp, however, were up more than 7% on reports that the struggling consumer electronics firm has received a purchase offer from Taiwan's electronics supplier Hon Hai Precision. Chinese shares were mixed in early trade with the Shanghai Composite flat at 3,629.19, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index down 0.3% to 22,063.11. In South Korea, the Kospi index was down 0.4% at 1,983.42 points. The Australian market is closed for a public holiday.