Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index rose two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,864.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index soared nearly one and one-half percent to finish the day's trading at 19,455.

Share prices were higher in Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Manila.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.72 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Thursday.