Asian stock markets closed lower Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost seven-tenths of a percent , to close at 9,833.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped six-tenths of a percent , to end at 22,440.

Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. Markets also close lower in Jakarta, Wellington, Taipei and Seoul. Manila markets closed higher.

The U.S. dollar was quoted at 77.66 yen, nearly unchanged from late Thursday.

Gold was trading at $1,614.60 an ounce.