Asian markets have risen after a strong Wall Street rally sparked by upbeat figures on the US labour market ahead of the release of crucial jobs data.
The euro held up after enjoying a rally on Thursday in response to the European Central Bank's decision to keep interest rates unchanged, despite fears of deflation in the eurozone.
Tokyo climbed 2.17 per cent, or 307.29 points, to 14,462.41, Sydney closed 0.68 per cent, or 35.1 points, higher at 5,166.5 and Seoul added 0.77 per cent, or 14.61 points, to close at 1,922.50.
Hong Kong rose 1.00 per cent, or 213.72 points, to end at 21,636.85, while Shanghai - on its first day open after a week-long Lunar New Year holiday - closed up 0.56 per cent, or 11.42 points, at 2,044.50.
At the end of a week that started with turmoil in global markets, traders were a lot calmer hours before the US Labor Department reports its non-farm payrolls data for January.
"The upcoming jobs data is viewed as critical for markets, which are pricing in further growth. So any hints that they might be good are positive for sentiment," said Mutsumi Kagawa, senior strategist at Tokai Tokyo Research Center.
The figures will be used as a gauge for the strength of the US economy and have taken on huge significance since the Federal Reserve began winding down its stimulus program from last month.
Its decision last week to reduce the bond-buying scheme further this month sent world markets into a tailspin as investors fretted about the impact on emerging markets.
Hopes of an upbeat set of figures on Friday were boosted by data on Thursday showing new claims for US unemployment insurance benefits, which indicate the pace of layoffs across the economy, fell back last week.
In New York the Dow gained 1.22 per cent, the S&P 500 added 1.24 per cent and the Nasdaq tacked on 1.14 per cent.
But kabu.com chief strategist Tatsunori Kawai told Dow Jones Newswires: "A weak number could trigger another market sell-off."
On currency markets the dollar sat at 102.05 yen on Friday, after climbing in New York to 102.10 yen. However, it is well above the mid-101 yen range in Tokyo earlier on Thursday.
The US Labor Department's report of January data on job creation and unemployment early on Friday "could make or break the greenback", said Kathy Lien of BK Asset Management.
The euro bought $1.3583 and 138.65 yen against $1.3591 and 138.79 yen. However, it is much stronger than the $1.3517 and 137.16 yen in Tokyo on Thursday.
Europe's single currency rallied on Thursday after the central bank kept rates at 0.25 per cent and its head Mario Draghi brushed off talk that deflation was becoming a threat despite prices rising only marginally in recent months.
"If the ECB is holding tight, maybe it means the situation is not so dramatic" and recovery in Europe is still on its way, said Alexandre Baradez, analyst at IG brokerage.
Oil prices were mixed. New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March delivery, eased 24 cents to $97.60 in afternoon trade while Brent North Sea crude for March was flat at $107.19.
Gold fetched $1,262.31 an ounce at 0810 GMT (1910 AEDT) compared with $1,258.60 late on Thursday.
In other markets:
- Manila rose 1.63 per cent, or 96.55 points, to 6,011.14.
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. rose 1.69 per cent to 2,648 pesos while Alliance Global Group Inc. jumped 0.19 per cent to 27.05 pesos.
- Taipei added 0.92 per cent, or 76.34 points, to 8,387.35.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was up 1.96 per cent at Tw$104.0 while Hon Hai fell 0.61 per cent to Tw$81.4.
- Wellington rose 0.68 per cent, or 32.85 points, to 4,840.79.
Chorus jumped 7.9 per cent to NZ$1.49 and Contact Energy was steady at NZ$5.25.
