Japan's Nikkei index gained 0.29 percent by the break, Hong Kong was 0.25 percent higher in early trade, Seoul gained 0.10 percent and Shanghai added 0.10 percent but Sydney was 0.53 percent off.
Tokyo traders were some given impetus as the yen edged lower, although utilities weighed amid concerns over the future of some companies and problems containing the nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
The dollar rose to 81.70 yen in Tokyo early trade from 81.60 yen in New York late Thursday and the euro gained to 116.83 yen from 116.82.
The euro bought $1.4303, hardly changed from $1.4308 in New York, but well up from $1.4265 in Asia on Thursday.
The single currency has risen on expectations the European Central Bank will hike interest rates soon, although lingering concerns over Greece's debt troubles capped any strong advances.
Stock market dealers were given a good cue from Wall Street where markets shrugged off weak economic data after a powerful debut for business social-networking firm LinkedIn, which soared almost 110 percent.
The Dow rose 0.36 percent, the broader S&P 500 gained 0.22 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbed 0.30 percent.
The gains came despite US figures showing existing-home sales fell in April, while there was a sharp drop in the Fed's Philadelphia regional manufacturing index.
The Conference Board's leading economic indicators index also fell for the first time since June 2010.
A slight dip in weekly jobless claims offered a glimmer of good news, but claims remained stuck above the 400,000 threshold.
Oil rebounded in early trade, with New York's main contract, light sweet crude for June delivery, advancing 38 cents to $98.82 a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for July delivery gaining 17 cents to $111.59.
Gold opened at $1,494.00-$1,495.00 per ounce, down from its Wednesday close of $1,490.00-$1,491.00.