Asian stock markets mostly higher in early trading Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly four-tenths of one percent to finish at 9,963.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 21,927.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.26 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.