Asia markets inch higher as investors await Bank of Korea meet, inflation data this week

Asia-Pacific markets started the week with small gains as investors focus on upcoming economic data and events. Australia and Japan will release inflation figures this week, while China will announce its trade balance and inflation numbers for December. The Bank of Korea is set to hold its first central bank meeting of the year and is expected to keep interest rates steady. In the US, all three major indexes rose after a stronger-than-expected jobs report, with nonfarm payrolls growing by 216,000 in December. Treasury yields also increased following the report.