Asia markets were largely positive on the final trading day of the week, following record highs on Wall Street.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 leaped 195 points, or 0.8%, to 23,869.93, with the insurance sector rising by 2.2%.
The moves in Japan followed a data release which showed that its nationwide core consumer price index for August rose 0.9% compared to a year ago. It was in line with expectations from an economist poll but still off the Bank of Japan's inflation target of 2%.
The Japanese yen slid further against the U.S. dollar at 112.76.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng popped 475.91 points, or 1.7%, to 27,953.58
Korean markets also saw gains, but memory chipmaker SK Hynix's stock weakened by 3%.
Australian markets were also in the green, as the financial sector advanced by 0.1% with most major bank stocks rising. AMP was up by 0.3% while Australia and New Zealand Banking Group rose by 0.1%.
The Australian dollar saw gains to $0.7298 U.S.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 jumped 100.36 points, or 3%, to 3,410.49
China's commerce ministry said Thursday it hopes the U.S. would take steps to change its behavior. The ministry's comments came after the two largest economies in the world slapped fresh tariffs on each other's goods earlier in the week.
In other markets
In Singapore, the Straits Times STI index gained 37.25 points, or 1.2%, to 3,217.68
In Korea, the Kospi index picked up 15.72 points, or 0.7%, to 2,339.17
In Taiwan, the Taiex index perked 141 points, or 1.3%, to 10,972.41
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 acquired 15.1 points, or 0.2%, to 9,375.97
In Australia, the ASX 200 regained 25.06 points, or 0.4%, to 6,194.56
