Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,793.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,913.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 77.39 yen, a gain of more than one-tenth of a yen from Wednesday.