A separate government report showed that service industries, led by banking, real estate and retailing, expanded in March, as falling unemployment encouraged consumers to spend more.
The IMF said the Japanese economy may expand 4 percent this year because its recovery is "broadening" and deflation is easing.
India's Sensex ended the week 2.1 percent lower after Singh said Thursday the government won't sell stakes in companies such as Oil & Natural Gas, GAIL (India) Ltd and commercial banks.
The benchmark TAIEX had the biggest weekly percentage gain among Asian benchmarks, rising 3.3 percent to complete its first advance in five weeks.
The TAIEX slumped to a nine-month low Monday after China warned Chen that he must accept Chinese sovereignty or "face destruction." Cathay Financial Holding Co, Taiwan's largest insurer, added 2.7 percent, while China Development Financial Holding Corp, Taiwan's largest industrial bank, gained 2.3 percent.
"The government entered to support the market, focusing on financial shares," said Charles Chen, who manages US$149 million at JF Asset in Taipei.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, which tracks 37 mainland companies, or H shares, climbed 6.5 percent this week after China's central bank head said it was too early to lift interest rates.
"This piece of news is good for the short term," said Renee Hung, who helps manage US$2.2 billion of investments at Value Partners Ltd in Hong Kong. "We need more evidence before markets can extend gains. In the past few days, some of the stocks have dropped too much."
Angang New Steel Co, China's second-largest Hong Kong-listed steelmaker by market value, surged 25 percent this week. China Petroleum & Chemical Corp, Asia's biggest oil refiner, which also is known as Sinopec, added 0.9 percent.
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