Asia stocks mixed before German leader speaks

Asian stock markets were mixed Friday, a day after rallying on news that six of the world's central banks slashed borrowing costs for banks to shore up Europe's financial system and prevent its debt crisis from getting worse.

Japan's Nikkei 225 index rose 0.4 percent to 8,629.81, and Australia's S&P ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 4,248.30. But South Korea's Kospi dropped 0.3 percent to 1,911.31 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 0.3 percent to 18,939.18. Benchmarks in Taiwan, Singapore and mainland China were also lower.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will speak before Germany's parliament about Europe's financial crisis and next Friday's EU summit.

Hopes are that European leaders will deliver a long-term solution to the debt crisis at the summit.