Asian markets edge up as Athens approves bailout

Asian stocks rose after lawmakers in Greece voted in favour of a bailout deal to prevent the country from exiting the eurozone.

The package was agreed with the eurozone on Monday and requires Greece to introduce severe austerity measures.

Without the deal, the country would have faced default and an exit from the euro currency, sparking fears of volatility in international markets.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 0.7% at 20,600.12.

It was the fourth consecutive day of gains for the region's biggest stock market.

Investors were also taking cues from US Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen reiterating that US interest rates were likely to rise by the end of the year.

In her semi-annual testimony to Congress, she said there were "favourable" prospects for more improvements in the jobs market and the economy as whole, but warned that continued uncertainty in Greece and China posed risks to US growth.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 index ended 0.6% higher at 5,669.60.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto finished flat after the company on Thursday trimmed its outlook for 2015.

Bad weather from cyclones affecting its mines in Australia led to a cut in its production outlook, external for the year by nearly 3%.

In China, the Shanghai Composite ended the day up 0.5% at 3,823.18, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose 0.4% to 25,162.78.

In South Korea, the benchmark Kospi index ended 0.7% higher at 2,087.89.

Investors were looking ahead to Friday's shareholder vote at construction firm Samsung C&T on whether it can go ahead with merger plans with holding company Cheil Industries.

The merger had come under fire from US hedge fund Elliott, the third-largest shareholder in Samsung C&T.

Shares of Cheil jumped by 5.7% while Samsung C&T closed up 3.4% ahead of the vote.