Nikkei futures in Chicago were at 19,060, while Osaka futures traded at 18,940, pointing to a flat open for the benchmark index. The Nikkei Stock Average finished at 18,894.37 on Wednesday.
In Australia, the ASX 200 advanced 0.58 percent in early trade, with most sectors advancing. The financial sector gained 0.27 percent, the energy sector was up 0.22 percent and the materials sector added 0.32 percent.
In prepared remarks, Janet Yellen said the U.S. economy was closing in on the central bank's goals, giving it impetus to start reducing the extreme levels of support it has provided over the past decade. "Right now our foot is still pressing on the gas pedal, though, as I noted, we have eased back a bit," said Yellen.
Among other currency majors, the yen traded at 114.54 against the dollar, the Australian dollar fetched $0.7510, while Cable was at $1.2262.
Oil prices declined in the Wednesday session during U.S. hours, likely on the back of the dollar rebound. Brent crude finished down 2.79 percent at $53.92 a barrel, while U.S. crude slipped 2.67 percent to $51.08.
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