Asian stock markets closed mixed Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index fell nearly one-half of one percent to finish at 8,739.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained just over one percent to finish the day's trading at 18,329.

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

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.61 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.