Major Asian stock markets closed higher Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained over one and one-quarter percent to finish at 9,050.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained more than one and one-half percent to finish the day's trading at 20,019.

Share prices were also higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Mumbai, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 75.83 yen, a loss of just over one-fourth of a yen from Thursday.

Gold is trading at $1,738.13 an ounce.