Asian markets trade higher in morning deals on Friday All the Asian equity benchmarks are trading higher in the morning deals on Friday on the back of improving investor confidence following the release of upbeat economic data from the US overnight. On the regional front, the Japanese market is advancing, buoyed by the overnight gains on Wall Street and improved earnings from technology companies. Investor sentiment was also lifted by media reports which indicated that Japan's $1.2 trillion pension fund will increase its holdings of equities. Among the other markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan are all trading in positive territory. Nikkei 225 gained 247.77 points or 1.58% to 15,905.97, Hang Seng surged by 214.50 points or 0.90% to 23,916.54, KOSPI Index climbed 1.01 points or 0.05% to 1,959.94, Straits Times added 16.33 points or 0.50% to 3,250.64, Jakarta Composite increased by 12.46 points or 0.25% to 5,071.31, Shanghai Composite jumped by 21.47 points or 0.90% to 2,412.55, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI spurted by 0.59 points or 0.03% to 1,843.37 and Taiwan Weighted was up by 9.92 points or 0.11% to 8,897.99.