Asian shares headed mostly higher on Tuesday, continuing the momentum from the previous day's trade when major markets hit record highs.
Shares in Hong Kong saw strong gains after investors were encouraged by a new cross-border investment scheme announced over the weekend.
Investors were also watching for any new developments in talks between Greece and international creditors, with no deal in sight and a €300m payment due next week.
The latest move - called mutual fund recognition - would allow funds domiciled in Hong Kong and China to be sold in each other's market from July.
Japan's Nikkei 225 index nudged 9 points higher to 20,423.33 after the benchmark hit a 15-year high on Monday.
It could result in a fresh flood of mainland capital to Hong Kong's market.
The dollar was weaker at 121.60 yen.
The Hang Seng rose 1.3% to 28,358.58 - near seven-year highs - after being closed for a holiday on Monday.
That compared to 121.66 yen a day ago as investors were also awaiting the latest batch of US data later in the day like consumer confidence for more insight on the state of the world's largest economy.
The Shanghai Composite continued to head higher, rising 1.6% to 4,892.45. On Monday, the index had jumped 3.4% to hit a fresh seven-year high.
China leads gains
Japan's Nikkei 225 closed up 0.1% at 20,437.48 as the index chalked up an eight-day winning streak.
In China, the Shanghai Composite was up 0.2% at 4,823.95 after reaching another seven year high a day earlier.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended up 0.9% at 5,773.4.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up 1.6% at 28,446.91 in early trade, leading the region's gains after China said it would launch a mutual fund recognition scheme with the Chinese territory.
Shares of Fortescue Metals rose as much as 15% after reports that Chinese companies were seeking permission to buy a stake in the miner. The shares eventually closed up 10.6%.
The move would allow funds domiciled in Hong Kong and China to be sold in each other's market starting in July, the latest step to boost cross-border investment.
The market in South Korea closed lower despite data showing that consumer sentiment rose for a second consecutive month in May, hitting its highest level in seven months.
It would result in a fresh flood of mainland capital to Hong Kong's market.
The composite consumer sentiment index rose to 105 in May from 104 in April, the Bank of Korea said.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 was higher 0.8% at 5,767.8.
The benchmark Kospi closed 0.1% lower at 2,143.50.
Shares of Fortescue Metals were up as much as 15% after reports that Chinese linked companies were seeking permission to buy a stake in the miner.
Meanwhile, South Korean shares were flat despite data showing that consumer sentiment rose for a second consecutive month in May to its highest level in seven months.
The composite consumer sentiment index was up to 105 in May from 104 in April, said the Bank of Korea.
A reading above 100 indicates that consumers who expect economic and living conditions to improve in the coming month outnumber those who expect them to deteriorate.
