Asian stock markets largely extended their gains in early Friday trading, as Thursday’s global rebound continued. Japan’s Nikkei NIK, +1.33% was faring the best, up 1.3%, handily pushing back above its 200-day moving average, as the yen hit fresh six-month lows against the dollar USDJPY, +0.11% . Gains were being led by defensive names, such as beverage maker Yakult Honsha 2267, +4.37% , up 4.3%. Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing 9983, +6.05% surged more than 6% after posting positive earnings. But factory-automation stocks eased, highlighted by Yaskawa Electric 6506, -4.20% giving up an early 3.7% gain following strong ... (full story)