Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Tuesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost just over one percent to finish at 8,456.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index plunged nearly three and one-half percent to finish the day's trading at 16,250.

Share prices were higher in Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Manila and Sydney. The Shanghai index was closed.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.67 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Monday.