Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index rose one percent to finish at 8,701.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was closed due to the threat posed by Typhoon Nesat.

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

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.47 yen, a loss of more than one-tenth of a yen from Wednesday.