Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,597.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost almost one-half of one percent to finish the day's trading at 21,759.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.56, a gain of just over one-quarter of a yen from Wednesday.