Major Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index fell nearly one percent to finish at 8,383.

Share prices were higher in Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Wellington, but lower in Manila, Mumbai, Seoul and Taiwan. The indexes in Hong Kong and Shanghai were closed.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.69 yen, a loss of just over one-fourth of a yen from Tuesday.

Gold is trading at $1,611.24 an ounce.