Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,773.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose just over one and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 18,309.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.77 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,653.38 an ounce.