Asian markets closed mixed early on Friday, with investors cautious over trade tensions after the U.S. announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from several of its allies would be reapplied. The edged down by 0.14 percent, or 30.47 points, to 22,171.35 and the broader Topix rose 0.1 percent. Automakers were among the best-performing sectors, with gains also seen in materials and banks. Over in South Korea, the Kospi rose 0.66 percent to close at 2,438.96, outperforming its regional peers.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.36 percent to close at 5,990.40 but was off its session low, with the energy and financial sectors contributing to the overall decline. Elsewhere, Hong Kong's tacked on 0.12 percent by 3:27 p.m. HK/SIN amid gains in developers and energy stocks. On the mainland, stocks finished the session lower as China A shares made their long-awaited debut on MSCI's Emerging Markets Index. The declined 0.65 percent to close at 3,075.46 and the Shenzhen composite fell 1.2 percent to 1,746.33. Benchmarks in Hong Kong and on the mainland had gained more than 1 percent in the last session. MSCI's broad index of shares in Asia Pacific excluding Japan edged up by 0.28 percent in Asia afternoon trade.

Trade tariffs back in focus