Asian markets were mostly higher Friday as dealers brushed aside more woeful economic data and looked at recent stimulus plans around the world, hoping they could kick-start the global economy.

Japan fell further into recession, with factory output tumbling 3.1 percent and consumer spending dropping 3.8 percent in October, official data showed.

The figures were "stunningly bad," said Societe Generale's chief Asia economist, Glenn Maguire.

Data from India showed Asia's third biggest economy had slowed, with 7.6 percent growth in the second quarter, down from 7.9 percent in the previous three months.

But markets took their cues from recent stimulus packages announced by world capitals.

Sydney soared 4.3 percent, while Hong Kong added 2.5 percent, Japan 1.66 percent and Seoul 1.2 percent.

Mumbai rose 0.73 percent a day after the trading markets were closed following a coordinated attack by gunmen across the city which left at least 130 people dead.

Elsewhere, Taipei added 0.15 percent and Singapore 1.29 percent. However, Shanghai lost 2.44 percent as profit-takers stepped in following previous gains on the back of Beijing's massive interest rate cut on Wednesday.

Other bad news came from South Korea, where industrial production fell 2.3 percent in October in a sign that the export-driven economy is slowing faster than expected.

TOKYO: Japanese shares rose 1.66 percent.

The Nikkei climbed 138.88 points to finish at 8,512.27. The broader Topix index of all first section issues edged up 5.79 points or 0.70 percent to 834.82.

Japanese trading houses that manage resources and raw materials saw their shares climb on renewed hope that China, Japan's biggest trading partner, will continue to support its export-driven growth, dealers said.

Mitsui and Co. jumped 8.3 percent to 846 yen and Itochu firmed 9.0 percent to 483.

Nippon Steel rose 5.3 percent to 297 and JFE Holdings added 7.2 percent to 2,315.

Players will closely watch developments over a potential rescue plan for the Big Three automakers -- General Motors, Chrysler and Ford -- as the December 2 deadline for a business plan to Congress approaches, dealers said.

Japanese manufacturers saw their shares slump.

Panasonic slid 11 percent to 1,144 yen after cutting its full-year net profit outlook by 90 percent on Thursday after markets closed.

HONG KONG: Shares closed 2.5 percent higher.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index was up 336.18 points to 13,888.24. Turnover was 42.37 billion Hong Kong dollars (5.43 billion US).

The gains were led by China Mobile and heavyweight HSBC which rose 2.3 percent and 2.5 percent respectively.

UOB KayHian Securities Director Steven Leung said speculation of more stimulus measures from the United States helped buoy Hong Kong shares.

Leung said the market has yet to fully price in the positive impact from China's reserves and interest rate cuts.

CNOOC gained 5.8 percent and aluminium producer Chalco soared 7.3 percent, while coal producer Shenhua jumped 7.3 percent.

Port operators also rose. Cosco Pacific was up 7.6 percent, while China Merchants ended up 6.5 percent.

SYDNEY: Australian shares closed 4.3 percent higher.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 soared 154.5 points to finish at 3,742.5 while the broader All Ordinaries added 144.6 points, or 4.1 percent, to 3,672.8.

Preliminary national turnover was 1.44 billion shares worth 5.79 billion dollars (3.80 billion US).

Ben Potter, research analyst at IG Markets, said the market gained "on significant amounts of end-of-month buying from fund managers looking to boost their performance."

BHP Billiton gained 7.6 percent to 31.00 Australian dollars while Rio Tinto ended the day up 8.8 percent at 46.60.

Westpac rose 6.8 percent to 17.89, ANZ gained 5.7 percent to 14.80, National Australia Bank climbed 5.3 percent to 20.00 and Commonwealth Bank of Australia was up 4.1 percent at 34.09.

SHANGHAI: Chinese shares closed down 2.44 percent.

Investors turned cautious again over the slowing economy, despite the central bank's interest rate cut.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers A and B shares, closed down 46.71 points at 1,871.16 on turnover of 50.5 billion yuan (7.4 billion dollars).

Banks were among the biggest losers as the cut in deposit rates is expected to discourage savings, while the lending rate cut may not boost corporate loans in near term as demand remains weak, dealers said.

China Life Insurance fell 7.4 percent to 18.80 yuan, and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank declined 7.2 percent to 11.99.

China Vanke was down 2.7 percent at 6.82 after rising 3.1 percent Thursday.

Tangshan Jidong Cement jumped 7.9 percent to 10.41, and Gansu Qilianshan Cement was up 5.0 percent at 7.17.

TAIPEI: Taiwan share prices closed up 0.15 percent.

The weighted index rose 6.74 points to 4,460.49, on turnover of 57.75 billion Taiwan dollars (1.73 billion US).

The market opened lower as investors pocketed profit after the index added seven percent in the previous three sessions.

Powerchip Semiconductor rose 6.92 percent to 3.09 Taiwan dollars and Nanya Technology added 6.92 percent to 4.79.

United Microelectronics Corp closed up 2.66 percent to 8.10, but rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co fell 0.24 percent at 40.80.

Cathay Financial closed unchanged at 34.50, while Chinatrust Financial gained 0.45 percent to 11.25.

SEOUL: South Korean share prices closed 1.2 percent higher.

The KOSPI index ended up 12.59 points at 1,076.07. Volume was 554.46 million shares worth 5.09 trillion won (3.46 billion dollars).

Hana Financial rose 6.4 percent to 17,500 won, Woori Financial climbed 4.7 percent to 7,120 and Daewoo Engineering and Construction gained 3.8 percent to 8,200.

C&Heavy and C&Woobang fell the daily limit of 15 percent to end at 710 and 340 respectively.

Internet portal company NHN Corp ended at 122,550, down 3.4 percent due to profit-taking, on its first day of trade on the main bourse after transferring from the tech-heavy KOSDAQ.

Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 4.05 percent to 154,000 while Samsung Heavy Industries fell 1.97 percent to 19,950.

SINGAPORE: Singapore shares closed 1.29 percent higher.

The blue-chip Straits Times Index finished 22.05 points higher at 1,732.57 on volume of 1.26 billion shares worth 1.12 billion Singapore dollars (743 million US).

Oil rig builder Keppel Corp was a key loser, down 60 cents to 4.20 after the company said its offshore and marine unit was in talks with three customers seeking a review of contracts.

Sembcorp Marine fell 17 cents to 1.60.

Banks were higher, with DBS up 33 cents at 9.40, UOB up 38 cents at 13.18 and OCBC 15 cents higher at 5.15.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares closed 0.4 percent lower.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index shed 3.84 points to end the day at 866.14.

Genting was down 8.1 percent at 4.08 ringgit, Malaysia Airlines lost 2.7 percent to 2.56 and Maybank shed 1.0 percent to 5.15.

Among gainers, BAT added 1.1 percent at 44.75, Digi was 1.0 percent higher at 20.70 and IOI Corp added 3.2 percent at 3.24.

BANGKOK: Thai share prices closed 3.09 percent higher.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index rose 12.03 points to close at 401.84 despite ongoing anti-government protests that have shut down Bangkok's airports.

Dealers saud the market rose due to gains in energy and communication stocks as foreign investors bought back shares.

JAKARTA: Indonesian shares ended 3.3 percent higher.

The Jakarta Composite Index rose 39.47 points to 1,241.54.

MANILA: Philippine share prices closed 0.2 percent higher.

The composite index added 4.56 points to 1,971.57.

Trading resumes Tuesday as markets will be closed Monday for a public holiday.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone added 0.2 percent to 2,340 pesos, while property firm Megaworld rose 3.3 percent to 62 centavos.

San Miguel A and B shares were both unchanged at 42 and 42.50 pesos, respectively.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand shares closed 1.58 percent higher.

The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 42.22 points to 2,710.96.

Market leader Telecom rose 11 cents to 2.49 New Zealand dollars.

Air New Zealand rose three cents to 89 cents, despite news one of its aircraft had crashed on a test flight in France, leaving two confirmed dead and five missing.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare rose seven cents to 3.07 and Mainfreight gained 30 cents to 4.85.

MUMBAI: Indian shares closed up 0.73 percent.

The benchmark 30-share Sensex rose 66 points to 9,092.72.