Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one and three-quarters percent to finish at 9,629.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained just a fraction of a percent to finish the day's trading at 21,860.

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 80.22, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,545.28 an ounce.