Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost just over one-tenth of one percent to finish at 10,071.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index earned a fraction of one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,530.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.96, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.