HONG KONG (AP) Asian stocks drifted on Friday, with markets in China edging slightly higher as investors stayed cautious ahead of a major holiday and details from the highly anticipated unveiling of a free trade zone in Shanghai. Stocks in Tokyo slid after Japan's inflation spiked.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 0.1 percent to 23,149.75 while in mainland China, the Shanghai Composite Index advanced 0.1 percent to 2,158.51.
Markets in China were subdued ahead of the launch Sunday of a pilot free trade zone in Shanghai.
"In China, investors and businessmen are awaiting the details of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone," Frances Cheung, a strategist at Credit Agricole CIB, wrote in a research note.
China's leaders have already loosened restrictions on foreign investment in the 29-square-kilometer (11.2-square-mile) zone. Further details are expected when the zone is inaugurated.