Tokyo shares rebounded on Friday following the previous day's steep losses as investors tracked tech-led gains on Wall Street, despite uncertainty fuelled by the Middle East crisis.
The advance came on a muted day across global markets, with most closed for the Easter break.
Japan's Nikkei 225 finished 1.3 per cent higher, having shed more than two per cent on Thursday in the wake of US President Donald Trump's address to the nation that fuelled fears about an extended Iran war.
Seoul climbed 2.7 per cent, though Shanghai shed one per cent and Bangkok was off 0.3 per cent.
Oil markets were also closed, a day after West Texas Intermediate soared more than 11 per cent to $111.54 and Brent jumped 7.8 per cent to $109.03.
"While market movements continue to be heavily influenced by the flow of news regarding the situation in the Middle East, the rise in US tech stocks is providing buyers with a sense of relief", Daiwa Securities said in a commentary.
Tokai Tokyo Securities added: "Tokyo shares are expected to trend higher, but volatility is also expected".
Online brokerage Monex said investors may take a wait-and-see mood in the afternoon, with eyes also on the release of US jobs figures that are due later Friday.
Investors remained cautious as Trump's speech did not provide clear indications on when the conflict against Iran might end.
In the address, he threatened to bomb Iran "back to the Stone Ages" but offered no plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil and gas passes but has been blocked by Tehran since the war began.
"While the market had been hoping for a near end to the war. These remarks, leaving open the possibility of further fighting, sparked disappointment", noted Takuma Ikemoto of the Tokai Tokyo Intelligence Lab.
On currency markets, the euro rose to $1.1539, the pound edged up to $1.3235, the dollar dipped to 159.60 yen and the euro eased to 87.18 pence. — AFP
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