Japan's Nikkei share average inched up on Friday, paring earlier losses thanks to gains by banking sector shares and other large-caps, although caution ahead of a weekend Greek national vote limited overall action.
Banking stocks rose across the board, lifted by a report that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group will create targets this fall to reduce cross-shareholdings.
The Nikkei share average rose 0.1 per cent to 20,539.79 after losing as much as 0.4 per cent.
The broader Topix gained 0.2 per cent to 1,652.09. The JPX-Nikkei Index 400 added 0.3 per cent to 14,925.02.