Asian markets end week mixed

Hong Kong - Asian markets were mixed on Friday after US inflation data renewed speculation of an interest rate hike, as Tokyo advanced to a fresh high despite disappointing figures challenging Japan's war on deflation.

Official data showed Japanese inflation slowed for a sixth straight month in January, dampened by weak consumer spending and falling energy prices - its lowest level since May 2013.

Tokyo stocks edged up to a fresh 15-year high, despite profit-taking largely erasing earlier gains that were driven by the yen's fall.