Asian markets built on the previous day's gains and headed into the weekend on a positive note Friday as traders were buoyed by news that Donald Trump's tax cuts had moved a step closer.

House Republicans pushed through a landmark overhaul of the tax system on Thursday, providing the base for a record close in the Nasdaq on Wall Street at the end of a volatile week for global equities.

The plan, hailed by Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan, would mark the biggest changes in three decades and see huge reductions for corporations and individuals.

Those gains filtered through to Asia, where Tokyo ended 0.2 percent higher, though an earlier rally was pared by a stronger yen. 

Hong Kong added 0.6 percent and Sydney put on 0.2 percent. Singapore and Manila each piled on more than one percent, while Taipei gained 0.7 percent. Wellington and Bangkok were also well up, while Jakarta gained 0.7 percent to put in on course for a record close.