Summary The dollar also fell against euro in the wake of a closely watched German business climate index.
HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian markets were mixed on Friday, with Tokyo taking a heavy hit as the dollar fell further against the yen after suffering a sell-off in New York.
A disappointing batch of jobs and consumer data out of the United States kept Wall Street muted, although they provided hope that the Federal Reserve will hold off winding down its stimulus for the time being.
Tokyo dived 1.52 percent and Shanghai was 0.30 percent lower, while Hong Kong gained 0.23 percent, Sydney added 0.10 percent and Seoul was 0.16 percent higher.
The Nikkei underperformed the region after the dollar tumbled against the yen as dealers absorbed the weak US figures.
The Labor Department said initial jobless claims rose to 343,000 in the week ending July 20, an increase of 7,000 from the prior week's upwardly revised 336,000 claims, and more than the 340,000 expected.
Also, durable goods orders rose 4.2 percent in June, but BK Asset Management managing director Boris Schlossberg said the result missed expectations when the volatile transportation sector is excluded, leaving orders flat.
The figures increased the likelihood the Fed would keep its bond-buying scheme in place for the rest of the year to make sure the US economy can get back on track. It also means the bank will continue pumping dollars into the financial system, meaning it is less in demand.
The greenback sank to 99.24 yen in New York Thursday, from 100.00 yen earlier in Tokyo.
And in early Japanese trade Friday the US unit bought 99.20 yen.
The dollar also fell against the euro Thursday in the wake of a closely watched German business climate index, which rose more than forecast this month.
The euro traded at $1.3276 in Asia Friday from $1.3277 in New York and well up from Thursday's level of $1.3209. The single currency was also at 131.70 yen from 131.75 yen in New York.
In US equity trading the Dow edged up 0.09 percent and the S&P 500 added 0.26 percent. But the Nasdaq rose 0.71 percent, driven by Facebook, which soared 30 percent following a better-than-expected earnings report.
On oil markets New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate for delivery in September, was up two cents at $105.51 a barrel in volatile morning trade, while Brent North Sea crude for September added two cents to $107.67.
Gold cost $1,338.70 per ounce at 0245 GMT, compared with $1,313.40 late Thursday.
