Japan's Nikkei 225 index ended lower Friday to log its 12th straight decline and move a step closer to a losing string not seen on the Tokyo benchmark in 54 years.
In Tokyo, the benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average closed 0.2 percent lower at 13,237.89 points; while the Hong Kong's blue-chip Hang Seng Index climbed nearly 0.9 percent to 21,423.82 points.
Steelmakers advanced in Tokyo, with shares of Nippon Steel Corp. climbing 1.5% on bargain buying, having declined in 12 of the previous 13 sessions. Shares of JFE Holdings Inc. added 2.4%.
Transportation shares declined, with All Nippon Airways dropping 0.8% and Honda Motor Co. dipping 0.3% in Tokyo.
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite fell 1.2% to 2,669.89.
Elsewhere:
Australia's S&P ASX 200 ended 1.7% higher at 5,082.10.
South Korea's Kospi shed 1.8% to 1,577.94.
New Zealand's NZX 50 index climbed 2.1% to 3,157.92.
Taiwan's Weighted index lost 2.2% to 7,228.41.
Singapore's Straits Times Index climbed 0.3% to 2,888.86.
with files from other wire services
