Asian stock markets were mostly higher in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 9,679.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index jumped 1.90 percent , to end at 22,172.

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

The dollar was selling at 80.43 yen in currency trading, down slightly from late Thursday.