The prospect of more easing earlier due to the hastened departure of BOJ Governor Masaaki Shirakawa helps weaken the yen even further and send Tokyo shares to their highest closing level in over four years. Given that Shirakawa is leaving only three weeks early, it all seems a bit overdone. Other Asian stocks also rise, as do those in Europe. Japan +3.8% to 11464, Hong Kong +0.5%, China +0.1%, India +0.1%. EU Stoxx 50 flat, London +0.6%, Paris +0.1%, Frankfurt +0.2%, Milan flat, Madrid +0.65%.