Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index soared just over one and one-half percent to finish at 9,797.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index closed at 22,061, virtually unchanged from Tuesday.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 81.04 a loss just a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.