But overall foreign shares traded in the United States fell, led lower by energy and materials shares that plunged after Goldman Sachs warned crude prices had gotten ahead of the fundamentals and were set to slide.
Among Japan's leading exporters, the New York-traded shares of bellwether Toyota Motor rose 1.2 percent to $77.39 while the ADRs of Canon Inc gained 1 percent to $42.65.
Toyota's shares have fallen 9 percent since a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan on March 11, while Canon's shares have dropped 6.4 percent during the period. Toyota's stock has been showing support around $75.77 while resistance is in the $77.47 range.
The gains came despite a sell-off in car and electronics makers that pushed the Nikkei stock average below its key support level in Japan.
Among other Japanese companies traded in New York, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group rose 1.1 percent to $4.61 and Nomura Holdings gained 1 percent to $4.97.
Among European energy companies, BP fell 2.7 percent to $45.43. BHP Billiton declined 3 percent to $82.93.
Frances's Total dropped 1.7 percent to $60.80.
Among Latin American companies, Vale shares fell 3.1 percent to $32.01 in New York trading. Petroleo Brasil lost 4.2 percent to $38.17.
Among Chinese companies, PetroChina dropped 5percent to $148.57.
Crude oil prices fell sharply as Goldman Sachs warned again of a price reversal, while the International Energy Agency and OPEC said expensive oil could erode demand.
The BNY Mellon index of leading American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) was down 1.1 percent while the US benchmark S&P 500 index fell 0.7 percent.
The broad market came under pressure after Japan raised the severity of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident to the highest level on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, putting it on par with the Chernobyl 1986 disaster. Dollar-denominated Nikkei future fell 1.2 percent.
The BNY Mellon index of leading Asian ADRs lost 1 percent.
The BNY Mellon index of leading European ADRs also declined 1 percent.
The BNY Mellon index of leading Latin American ADRs fell 2.3 percent.