Asian stock markets closed mixed Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost well over one and one-half percent to finish at 8,721.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained just over one-half of one percent to finish the day's trading at 19,015.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.58 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Monday.