ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN ANCHOR: Let's head over to Dalton Tanonaka, standing by for a look at Asian markets -- Dalton.</s>DALTON TANONAKA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi -- Allan. Tokyo stocks ended the week firmer, with advances in the tech sector there outweighing losses in bank issues. Banking giants, such as UFJ Holdings, gave back some of Thursday's gains, as investors doubted whether the government would be able to carry through pledges of wide-ranging bank reform. But major tech issues will tire on the back of the rally on the U.S. Nasdaq. Chip and computer-maker NEC gained 3.4 percent, helping the Nikkei finish slightly firmer on the day. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed weaker, as many investors were reluctant to take positions ahead of three-day weekend here. Blue chips were mostly weaker, but China's two biggest mobile phone operators once again were attracting buying interest, China Mobile and CHINA UNICOM both firming near 2 percent on optimism over strong subscriber growth in China. But tech shares in Taipei took a beating on pessimism, over the outlook for that sector. Analysts say the environment is unlikely to improve until the end of the third quarter or beginning of the fourth, and that sent shares of contract chipmaker TSMC 1 percent lower, Taipei's Weighted Price index closing down 1.6 percent overall. That is the market day here in Asia. Allan, back to you in New York.</s>CHERNOFF: Dalton, thank you. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Asian Market Update: Tokyo Stocks End Week Firmer