Asia's major markets closed higher on the final day of a volatile week amid easing concerns that the U.K. would vote to exit the European Union in its June 23 referendum.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 regained 165.52 points, or 1.1%, to 15,599.66, for the week, the index lost 6%
The yen had previously strengthened against the dollar, after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept monetary policy steady on Thursday in line with expectations.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index perked 131.56 points, or 0.7%, to 20,169.98
Much of the global economic uncertainty weighing on markets this week was due to the crucial June 23 referendum in the U.K., where Britons will vote to decide to either leave or remain within the European Union. Several surveys released recently have shown public opinion was closely divided, with the Brexit campaign gaining momentum.
Safe-haven currencies, such as the yen, were also pushed higher this week amid Brexit concerns. The U.S. dollar/yen currency pair traded as low as 103.58 after the BOJ decision on Thursday. Late Friday, the pair was at 104.28
Major Japanese exporters rallied on Friday, with shares of Toyota closing up 2.7%, Nissan adding 1.2% and Sony up by 0.7%. A relatively weaker yen is a positive for exporters as it increases their overseas profits when converted to local currency.
Energy plays in Asia closed mixed. Shares of Santos were up 0.9%, Oil Search was down 0.5%, and Inpex gained 1.9%
CHINA
The Shanghai CSI 300 recovered 15.69 points, or 0.5%, to 3,110.30. Chinese mainland oil stocks were mostly up, with Sinopec advancing 0.35 percent.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi eked up 1.41 points, or 0.1%, to 1,953.40
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regrouped 11.86 points, or 0.4%, to 2,763.42
In Taiwan, the Taiex index hiked 73.94 points, or 0.9%, to 8,568.08
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 let go of 41.5 points, or 0.6%, to 6,847.07
The ASX 200 picked up 16.68 points, or 0.3%, to 5,162.66
