Asian stock markets were down in early trading 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 Taipei, Sydney, Shanghai and Wellington. Manila markets close higher.

The dollar was selling at 77.58 yen in currency trading, down a tenth of a yen from late Thursday.