Asian stock markets were sharply lower in trading Monday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index dropped 2.17 percent , to close at 8,374.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 1.48 percent , to end at 17,408.

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

The dollar was selling at 76.35 yen in currency trading, down a quarter of a yen from late Friday.