Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was the odd one out as markets across Asia extended gains on Thursday ahead of a series of key global events due to take place in the coming days.
The Nikkei 225 gained another 213.61 points, or 1.3%, to 16,960.16, a three-week high
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index slipped 61.73 points, or 0.3%, to 19.941.76
Australian markets gained momentum, boosted by gains in the financials, energy, and materials sectors.
The Japanese yen retreated against the U.S. dollar back to the 114 handle; the dollar/yen earlier hit a session low of 113.40. Thursday, the pair traded up 0.6% at 114.14, from Wednesday's close of 113.40.
Japanese exporters closed mostly up with the likes of Toyota adding 1.3%, Nissan gaining 3.4%, and Honda up 2.9%. Usually, a weaker yen is positive for exporters as it increases their overseas profits when converted into local currency.
South Korea's annual inflation in February picked up quicker than previously expected. Official data showed the consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.3% on-year in February and was up from a 0.8% increase in January.
Earlier, Australia posted a narrower-than-expected trade deficit of A$2.94 billion ($2.14 billion U.S.) for January, against a consensus of A$3.1 billion.
Australia miners mostly finished up on Thursday on the back of higher commodity prices. Shares of Rio Tinto closed up 2.1%, Fortescue was up 6.7%, and BHP Billiton gained 3.1%
Overnight, BHP and mining company Vale reached a deal with the Brazilian government to pay an estimated 20 billion reais ($5.1 billion U.S.) in damages over 15 years for the Samarco mining disaster late last year. The disaster was considered one of Brazil's worst environmental disasters that killed 19 people and left hundreds homeless and polluted a major river.
Energy plays were mixed in Asia with Santos closing up 2.5%, while Oil Search added 3.3%, Japan's Inpex was higher by 5.8%.
CHINA
Data released this morning seems to show the growth momentum in China's service sector has softened, with business activity expanding at only a modest pace.
The Shanghai CSI 300 index added 7.09 points, or 0.2%, to 3,058.42
Among energy plays, mainland shares of Sinopec lost 0.2%
Market participants will look to China's NPC this weekend for the country's 2016 gross domestic product targets.
The Caixin services purchasing managers' index (PMI) for February was at 51.2 versus January's 52.4. This follows the official services PMI, released earlier in the week, which also indicated a slower expansion. The PMI fell to 52.7 in February, from 53.5 a month earlier.
A reading above 50 indicates an expansion while a reading below suggests contraction in activity.
Before the market open, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the yuan mid-point at 6.5412 to the U.S. dollar, compared with Wednesday's fix of 6.5490. The dollar/yuan was at 6.5438
In other markets;
In Korea, the Kospi index gained 10.75 points, or 0.6%, to 1,958.17
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index moved higher 67.74 points, or 0.8%, to 8,611.79
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index jumped 60.66 points, or 2.2%, to 2,787.62
The NZX 50 in New Zealand leaped 67.79 points, or 1.1%, to 6,380.86.
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 59.89 points, or 1.2%, to 5,081.12
