Japan extended a nationwide state of emergency on Monday, underscoring expectations that travel demand was unlikely to recover anytime soon.
Markets in Japan were closed from Monday through Wednesday for a string of national holidays.
On Thursday, Japan Airlines shed 6.9% and ANA Holdings lost 6.7% as US peers plunged earlier this week on news that billionaire Warren Buffett had sold his entire stakes in the top four US carriers.
Meanwhile, the blue-chip Nikkei average edged up 0.28% to 19,674.77, helped by gains in semiconductor-related stocks.
Chipmaking gear manufacturer Tokyo Electron Ltd rose 3.2% and test device maker Advantest Corp climbed 3.3%, tracking gains in US peers. Nintendo Co Ltd gained 3.3%.