Asian stock markets closed lower across the board Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost slightly more than one percent to finish at 8,682.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell just over one and three-quarters percent to finish the day's trading at 17,983.

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

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