Japan's imports and exports in August rose 2.3% and 5.6%, respectively, from a year ago, both missing Reuters poll estimates of 13.4% and 10% growth.

Markets in Europe and Asia shot higher on Thursday after the Federal Reserve kicked off its efforts to prevent a recession in the U.S. with a bigger-than-usual cut to interest rates. U.S. futures were higher after a lackluster response on Wall Street to the Fed's move the day before.

Asian markets have forged higher after the Federal Reserve kicked off its efforts to prevent a recession in the U.S. with a bigger-than-usual cut to interest rates