Asian stock markets were mixed in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained half a percent , to close at 9,514.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped eight-tenths of a percent , to end at 22,418.

Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Taipei and Manila. Markets closed higher in Shanghai, Sydney and Wellington.

The dollar was selling at 80.04 yen in currency trading, down three-tenths of a yen from late Thursday.