Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost nearly two and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,591.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up half a percent to finish the day's trading at 19,710.

Share prices were lower in Manila, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.31 yen, a gain of nearly one-half of a yen from Monday.