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 77.07 yen, down seven-tenths of a yen from late Monday.

Gold was trading at $1,763.15 an ounce.