Japan's Nikkei marks sixth day of gains

Japanese shares saw their sixth consecutive day of gains on Friday, marking their longest winning streak since August.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 closed up 0.2% to 17,920.45 points, which was its best finish since July 2007.

The dollar also rose past the 120-yen mark for the first time in seven-and-a-half years.

The rest of Asia traded mixed after the European Central Bank (ECB) decided not to expand its stimulus programme.

In a meeting on Thursday, the ECB put off a possible full quantitative easing programme until early next year.

Investors also kept a close an eye on US jobs data due later in the day for signs of growth in the world's largest economy.

In China, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.9% to 24,035.98, adding to the previous session's big gains, while the Shanghai Composite was down 0.3% at 2,891.4.

In Australia, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down 0.6% at 5,335.3, dragged lower by mining and energy firms.

Shares of mining services firm Bradken jumped more than 36% after receiving a 872m Australian dollar ($731m; £467m) takeover approach from buyout firms Pacific Equity Partners and Bain Capital.

South Korean shares ended flat after the country's trade ministry saying that exports were likely to grow 2.8% in 2014 to a record $575bn (£367bn).

The ministry forecast that South Korea would post a trade surplus of about $45bn this year, also the largest on record.

The benchmark Kospi index finished at 1,986.62.