Hong Kong - Asian markets were largely flat in morning trade on Friday after the dollar firmed on US inflation data, while disappointing Japanese figures challenged Tokyo's war on falling prices.
Japanese inflation slowed for a sixth straight month in January - dampened by weak consumer spending and falling energy prices - its lowest level since Tokyo launched an offensive on falling prices and tepid growth nearly two years ago.
Tokyo ticked up 0.07%, Hong Kong added 0.54% and Shanghai edged down 0.08%. Seoul slipped 0.12% while Sydney was up 0.37% and Wellington added 0.08%. Markets in Taiwan were closed for a public holiday.