Japanese shares rose, despite the release of data showing a big fall in exports in November, as a weaker yen gave relief to exporters. Overall, Asia-Pacific stock markets got off to a mixed start for the week. Early gains in Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia on the US government’s plans to help its biggest car makers disappeared as trading progressed.

The FTSE Asia Pacific index was 0.3 per cent lower by late afternoon in Hong Kong. Oil rose in Asia on plans for production cuts by the members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Nymex light sweet crude was 56 cents higher than on Friday in New York at $42.92 a barrel in Singapore.