Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-tenth of one percent to finish at 9,449.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,662.

Share prices were higher in Manila, Shanghai, and Wellington, but lower in Sydney and Taiwan.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.86, a loss of nearly one-quarter of a yen from Tuesday.