Shares advanced in Asia on Friday, with Tokyo's Nikkei 225 closing at its highest level since late February. Investors were awaiting more updates on the U.S.
jobless situation Friday after unemployment data released overnight gave the S&P 500 its first loss in five days. A report showed that the number of U.S.
workers filing for unemployment benefits eased for a ninth straight week though the total number of people getting benefits rose slightly.
A drop in that number the week before had raised hopes that some companies were rehiring workers as the economy gains momentum after pandemic fighting shutdowns.