Asia markets were largely positive on Friday, amid gains in Japan's Nikkei 225 which led the index to its highest intraday level in almost 27 years.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 sprang back up again 323.3 points, or 1.4%, to 24,120.04, after heavy losses on Thursday.
In the morning, the index saw its highest intraday levels since November 1991. The Japanese yen was largely flat at 113.40 against the U.S. dollar after its earlier weakness
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 72.85 points, or 0.3%, to 27,788.52.
The moves in Japanese stocks came after the release of data that showed the country's unemployment rate fell 0.1% from the previous month to 2.4%. The country also saw an increase in its month-on-month industrial output in August, while retail sales in August was higher as compared to a year earlier.
In the Bank of Japan's release of its summary of opinions for its meeting earlier in September, the central bank said "the contrast between the favorable U.S. economy and other economies is becoming more evident, mainly reflecting U.S. trade policy, and uncertainties regarding their outlook have been heightening as well."
Korean markets slipped, with shares of Korea Aerospace Industries plunging by 29.8% following the company's failed bid to build the U.S. Air Force's next training aircraft.
Australian markets prospered, as on Friday, Australia's Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry released its interim report.
The financial sector has been rocked by months of revelations of wrongdoing stemming from the Royal Commission, driving down share prices and bringing down the reputations of some of the country's biggest companies.
Shares of Australian banks largely ended the day higher, with NAB rising by 1.8% while Commonwealth Bank of Australia rose by 1.9%. Macquarie Group, however, slipped by 1.3%.
The Australian dollar was slightly stronger at around $0.7210 U.S.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 35.27 points, or 1%, to 3,438.86
The Caixin Purchasing Managers' Index for China's manufacturing sector for September is scheduled to be released on Sunday.
According to estimates by Reuters, it is expected to come in at 50.5 points for September — below 50.6 points in August. A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below that signals contraction.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times STI index restored 20.79 points, or 0.6%, to 3,257.05
The Kospi slumped 12.36 points, or 0.5%, to 2,343.07
In Taiwan, the Taiex index slipped 27.85 points, or 0.3%, to 11,006.34
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 recovered 64.66 points, or 0.7%, to 9,351.06
In Australia, the ASX 200 reasserted itself 26.35 points, or 0.4%, to 6,207.56
