Asian stocks closed higher on Friday following news that U.S. President Donald Trump had agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
The move also tracked moderate gains seen on Wall Street following the implementation of U.S. metals tariffs.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 101.13 points, or 0.5%, to end the week at 21,469.20. Against the safe-haven yen, the U.S. dollar rose 0.5% to trade at 106.72.
The Hang Seng Index leaped 341.69 points, or 1.1%, to 30,996.21
Steel producers in Japan underperformed gains on the benchmark on those developments. JFE Holdings declined 1.5%, and Kobe Steel slid 3.2%.
The Bank of Japan kept its policy steady on Friday, which was in line with expectations. Most economists indicated they expected the central bank to keep its long-term rate target steady in 2018.
Meanwhile, South Korea's Posco lost 3.6% and Hyundai Steel declined 2.5%
Trump would meet with North Korean leader Kim by May, South Korean National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong said. South Korean envoys had hand-delivered a letter from Kim to Trump on Thursday U.S. time.
The meeting was confirmed by the White House and in a subsequent tweet by Trump, who said that "great" progress was being made. He added that sanctions would "remain until an agreement is reached."
Korean stocks strengthened as tourism-related stocks got a boost from the latest geopolitical development. Retailer Lotte Shopping jumped 7.1% and cosmetics company Amorepacific advanced 4.5%
Australian stocks prospered, as most sectors traded in the green, with the exception of energy stocks and gold producers. The heavily weighted financials sector rose 0.7% on the day.
In other markets
The CSI 300 popped 31.27 points, or 0.8%, to 4,108.87
In Taiwan, the Taiex climbed 41.58 points, or 0.4%, to 10,864.82
In Korea, the Kospi added 26.37 points, or 1.1%, to 2,459.45
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index picked up 5.13 points, or 0.2%, to 3,485.57
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 hiked 31.31 points, or 0.4%, to 8,390.01
The ASX 200 advanced 20.37 points, or 0.3%, to 5,963.23
