GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares grind higher, gold pauses from big losing streak

* Global equity markets continue to climb * Yen gains on minister's comments, rise seen temporary * Gold gains after longest losing streak in four years * Oil rebounds, rises above $104 a barrel (Adds opening of U.S. markets, changes dateline; previous LONDON) By Herbert Lash NEW YORK, May 20 (Reuters) - Global equity markets rose on Monday as investors sought better returns in stocks, while uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's stimulus program caused gold to pause from i