Investors took their positive lead from Wall Street where stocks ended higher as they awaited key US jobs figures due later today.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.6% to 19,435.08 - gaining 0.8% for the week. The dollar was down to 119.68 yen from 119.77 yen in New York.
Car giant Toyota's shares were up 0.6% after local reports that it is planning to open two new factories in Mexico and China at a cost of $1.25bn (£842m). Markets in Australia and Hong Kong are closed for the public holiday.
Fresh highs
In mainland China, the Shanghai Composite closed at a fresh seven-year high, gaining 1% to 3,863.93 points. China's benchmark equity index has rallied 4.7% this week driven by expectations of more monetary easing.
China's securities regulator also approved 30 initial public offerings (IPOs) on Thursday, a move that could cool the stock market rally as investors look to move funds from existing stocks.
A private survey also showed that China's services sector expanded in March but growth in employment and new business fell to their lowest in eight months. The HSBC/Markit China services purchasing managers' index (PMI) was up to 52.3, from February's 52.
That's above the 50-point level that separates growth from a contraction in activity. Despite the thin trade, South Korean shares hit their highest closing level in six and half months and climbed 1.3% for the week. The benchmark Kospi index closed up 0.8% to 2,045.42 points - its highest finish since 19 September.
bbc.com
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