Major Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one and one-quarter percent to finish at 10,006.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was up nearly one-half of one percent to finish the day's trading at 22,004.

Share prices were higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington, but lower in Mumbai and Shanghai.

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 78.90 yen, a loss of over one-quarter of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,587.75 an ounce.