The leading stock exchanges in Asia went in different directions in a situation characterized by continued uncertainty regarding American tariff policy.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 and the broader Topix index had fallen by 1.2 percent each by lunchtime.
It was more cheerful in China, where the composite index in Shanghai and Shenzhen rose by 0.3 and 0.9 percent, respectively.
From South Korea, there was neither a boom nor a bust as the Kospi index fluctuated around zero.
The stock exchange in Hong Kong remains closed for the weekend.
