Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,574.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index lost nearly three-quarters of one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,344.

Share prices were higher in Manila and Wellington, but lower in Shanghai and Sydney. The Taipei market closed virtually unchanged.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 80.59, a gain of one-tenth of a yen from Tuesday.