Japan's Nikkei share average dropped to its lowest in more than a week on Friday after weaker-than-expected U.S. housing data soured the mood, and investors awaited Japanese corporate results coming out from next week.
The Nikkei ended 1.2 per cent lower to 19,652.88, the lowest closing level since April 7.
For the week, the index fell 1.3 per cent. The broader Topix dropped 0.7 per cent to 1,588.69, with 2.68 billion shares changing hands, the highest since March 13.
The JPX-Nikkei Index 400 also declined 0.7 per cent to 14,404.14.