Asian stock markets were mixed in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index was unchanged , to close at 8,700.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 2.32 percent , to end at 17,592.

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

The dollar was selling at 76.78 yen in currency trading, down less than one-tenth of a yen from late Thursday.