Asian stock markets closed mostly lower Thursday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost one and one-quarter percent to finish at 8,944.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index slumped more than one and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 20,016.

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

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.59 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Wednesday.