Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors parse Japan inflation data

Japan, Korea and Chinese markets traded mixed amid thin trading in the region with most markets closed for Good Friday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.03% to close at 34,730.28 after the country’s inflation grew 3.6% year on year in March, marking three straight years that the headline inflation figure is above the Bank of Japan’s 2% target. The figure was lower than the 3.7% seen in February.

The so called “core-core” inflation rate, which strips out prices of both fresh food and energy and is closely monitored by the BOJ, climbed to 2.9% from 2.6% in the month before.

South Korea’s Kospi added 0.53% to close at 2,483.42. China’s CSI traded flat to close at 3,772.52.

South Korea and Japanese shipping stocks rose after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday imposed fees on ships built in China. The fees will be charged once per voyage.

Japan’s Nippon Yusen and Kawasaki Kisen rose 2.63% and 4.17% respectively. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines added 2.95%. South Korea’s Pan Ocean and Hmm also traded higher at around 1.98% and 0.83% respectively.

Australia, Hong Kong, India and Singapore’s markets are closed for the holidays.

Overnight in the U.S., the three major averages closed mixed. The S&P 500 ticked higher in choppy trading on Thursday, but finished the holiday-shortened trading week lower as tariffs continued to worry investors.

The broad index advanced 0.13% to close at 5,282.70 after swinging between gains and losses earlier in the session. The Nasdaq Composite inched down 0.13% to end at 16,286.45. But the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 527.16 points, or 1.33%, to settle at 39,142.23.

Investors have been on alert since Trump first announced his plan for “reciprocal” tariffs — which he later walked back — on April 2.

CNBC’s Alex Harring and Pia Singh contributed to this report.