Asian markets trading on mix note ahead of NFP job data

The long awaited day is here. US will publish NFP job data as well as unemployment rate later today. The US economy is forecast to have added around 189,000 jobs last month, almost half the 292,000 jobs reportedly added in December. Such data will provide better insight in to the labour market condition of World's largest economy. Asian markets are trading on mix note ahead of this big event.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index tumbled 1.08% to 16,861.52 points before midday in Tokyo, while Japan's broader Topix gauge fell 1.28% to 1,371.00 points.

Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng index advanced 0.81% to 19,339.40 points early Friday, but mainland China's benchmark Shanghai Composite was largely flat at 2,781.18 points at the same time.

Korea's benchmark Kospi index rose 0.22% to 1,920.75 points in Seoul.

The benchmark Australian S&P/ASX 200 index traded 0.70% lower at 4,945.50 points in Sydney, while New Zealand's benchmark S&P/NZX 50 index traded little down at 6,135.71 points in Wellington.