Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,467.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,609.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.06, a gain of just over one-fourth of a yen from Wednesday.