Asian stock markets closed mostly higher Wednesday.

Tokyo's Nikkei index gained more than one-quarter of one percent to finish at 8,773.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rose just over one and one-quarter percent to finish the day's trading at 18,309.

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

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar was selling at 76.79 yen, a loss of a fraction of a yen from Tuesday.