Asian stock markets closed higher today-Friday, while the U.S. dollar was down slightly against the Japanese yen.
Tokyo's Nikkei index was up 164 points -- nearly one and one-half percent -- to finish at 11,192. On Thursday the index gained 14 points.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed up 145 points -- 1 percent -- finishing at 13,714, after gaining eight points Wednesday.
Share prices were also higher in Seoul, Jakarta, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Manila, Sydney, Wellington and Bombay. The market in Shanghai was down.
At late afternoon Tokyo currency trading, the dollar was selling at 107.84 yen, down 0.25 yen from the same time Wednesday.
In Hong Kong, the price of gold fell 10 cents, closing at 418 dollars, 65 cents an ounce.