Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained one percent to finish at 8,823.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose over two and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 18,758.

Share prices were higher in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney and Taipei, but lower in Bangkok, Mumbai, Singapore and Wellington.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.89 yen, a loss of well over one-quarter of a yen from Wednesday.

Gold is trading at $1,672.31 an ounce.