Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost just over one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,936.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained a fraction of one percent to finish the day's trading at 21,940.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.07 yen, a gain of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.