Japanese share prices gained back some ground Tuesday after opening sharply lower on U.S. debt fears. The dollar was lower against the yen.

The Nikkei index was down 1.68 percent , to close at 8,944.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.33 yen, down nearly half a yen from late Monday.

The Taipei market lost eight-tenths of a percent , to finish at 7,493.