Asian shares were mostly higher, dismissing earlier concerns about increased geopolitical risks in Asia after North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles.
The Nikkei 225 Index dropped 90.33 points, or 0.5%, to close Monday at 19,379.14
The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong gained 43.56 points, or 0.2%, to 23,596.28
South Korean military officials said North Korea fired multiple missiles off its east coast, which flew about 1,000 km, while Japan said three missiles landed inside its exclusive economic zone and that it would not tolerate the hermit state's provocative actions.
South Korea's trade minister said that the government would strengthen its response to China's recent discrimination towards South Korea companies. Local South Korean media reported that Beijing ordered local travel agencies in the capital to stop selling the China-Korea route trip packages both online and offline.
Australia markets trod water, after January retail sales increased by 0.4% from the previous month — inline with expectations from an economist poll.
The yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar to 113.72, earlier above 114, as the Australian dollar tracked $0.7587 U.S.
CHINA
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regained 18.62 points, or 0.5%, to 3,446.48
On the weekend, Premier Li Keqiang sounded a cautious note at the annual meeting of parliament that began Sunday, and said that China would expand its economy by around 6.5%, compared to the growth target of 6.5% to 7% set last year.
Other notable targets from Li's speech include China aiming for an annual consumer price index (CPI) of around 3%, and an annual budget deficit of 3% of gross domestic product, and 2017 M2 growth of about 12%.
The annual National People's Congress will also kick off today and last until March 15.
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex added 34.42 points, or 0.4%, to 9,682.63
The Kospi Index in Korea eked up 2.61 points, or 0.1%, to 2,081.36
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index subtracted 0.83 points to 3,121.51
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 hiked 17.87 points, or 0.3%, to 7,178.74
In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 picked up 16.91 points, or 0.3%, to 5,746.51
