Asia stocks rise sharply on U.S. gains, data By: MarketWatch January 03, 2012 at 20:07 PM EST Asian stocks follow their U.S. peers higher, with Australian shares especially strong as miners rally on strong global economic data. Read More >> Related Stocks: Alumina Limited Bhp Billiton Ltd ADR Fortescue Metals Group Ltd Fujitsu Ltd ADR Honda Motor Company ADR Macquarie Group Ltd Nomura Holdings Inc Nomura Holdings Inc ADR Renesas Electronics Corp Rio Tinto Plc ADR Sony Corp Toshiba Corp Toyota Motor Corp Ltd Ord ADR