Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday with the key market in Tokyo reaching an eight-month high.
Tokyo's Nikkei index rose nearly three-quarters of 1% (77 points), to close at 11,660. The Nikkei slipped slightly Thursday.
Hong Kong's key index, the Hang Seng, jumped nearly 1% (120 points), to finish at 14,088.
The Hang Seng lost a fraction of 1% Thursday.
Elsewhere, share prices were higher in Jakarta, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei. Markets closed lower in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Sydney, Wellington and Bombay.
The U.S. dollar was quoted at 105.26 yen in Tokyo, unchanged from late Thursday in Tokyo, but below its late Thursday New York level of 105.50 yen.
The price of gold in Hong Kong rose one dollar and 60 cents to close at 427 dollars and five cents an ounce.