Asian stock markets were mostly lower in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained three-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,798.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped nine-tenths of a percent , to end at 19,583.

Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington and Manila. Markets closed slightly higher in Taipei

The dollar was selling at 77.16 yen in currency trading, down three-tenths of a yen from late Thursday.