Asian stock markets closed mixed Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained nearly one-quarter of one percent to finish at 9,659.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped one-half of one percent to finish the day's trading at 21,885.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 79.81 yen, a gain of two and three-quarters of a yen from Wednesday.