Asian markets traded mixed on Wednesday afternoon, reversing some earlier losses, while oil prices remained under pressure after data overnight showed a build-up in U.S. crude inventory.
The Nikkei 225 Index recovered 96.82 points, or 0.5%, to 19,007.60
Among other major currency pairs, the yen traded at 112.28 against the dollar, climbing from an earlier low of 112.00 but stronger than levels above 113.4 reached last week.
Japanese exporters finished the session mostly higher, with Toyota shares up 0.6%, Nissan up 0.9% and Honda advancing 0.9%. Shares of Mazda finished down 0.5%, retracing some of its earlier losses of nearly 1.4% and Sony shares closed down 0.7%.
Fujitsu shares declined 3.8%, amid media reports that the electronic conglomerate's biggest shareholder, Fuji Electric, planned to sell about $1 billion U.S. worth of Fujitsu shares, or about an 8.2% stake in the company.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index regained 153.56 points, or 0.7%, to 23,485.13
Australian markets registered up, but the energy sector declined 1%. Oil plays in the country ended mostly lower, with Santos shares losing 1.3%, Oil Search down 1% and Beach Energy lower by 2.7%
Other oil plays in Asia finished mostly lower, with Japan's Inpex down 1.1%. Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese energy plays CNOOC fell 1.2% and PetroChina shed 0.2%. Sinopec Corp reversed losses of more than 0.3% to close up 0.3%.
Resources producer BHP Billiton fell 0.9%, after reports said the miner planned to halt production at a Chilean copper mine due to a workers' strike on Thursday.
Various media reported that BHP said it could not guarantee the safety of the 80 workers the Chilean government had authorized to remain at the Escondida mine to perform "critical duties," such as equipment upkeep and adherence to environmental protocols.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 surged 17.61 points, or 0.5%, to 3,383.29
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index subtracted 11.31 points, or 0.1%, to 9,543.25
In Korea, the Kospi index doffed 10.13 points, or 0.5%, to 2,065.08
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index pointed lower 5.11 points, or 0.2%, to 3,066.53
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 dipped 0.78 points to 7,066.27
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 gained 29.45 points, or 0.5%, to 5,651.37
