TOKYO: Most Asian markets rose on Thursday with focus on the upcoming release of key US jobs data while traders were also trying to gauge when the Federal Reserve will begin reconsidering its ultra-loose monetary policies in light of a robust economic recovery.

Oil prices also extended gains, fueled by growing optimism that the reopenings and coronavirus vaccine rollouts will lead to a surge in activity over the coming months and ramp up demand. Friday's non-farm US payroll figures will provide the most recent snapshot of the world's top economy, with expectations for a big jump as businesses restart and people return to some semblance of normality.