Asian stock markets were lower in early trading Friday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index lost nine-tenths of a percent , to close at 8,747.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped 1.36 percent , to end at 18,502.

Elsewhere, share prices were lower in Taipei, Sydney, Shanghai and Wellington. Manila markets closed up slightly

In currency trading, the dollar was selling at 76.92 yen, unchanged from late Thursday.