Asian stocks were subdued in Wednesday trade, tracking the mixed performance on Wall Street overnight.
The Nikkei 225 regained 23.72 points, or 0.1%, to 22,891.72, as banks and trading houses rose. Tech shares were mixed, with Nintendo sliding 1.3% by the end of the day. Japan Display bounced 3.1% following local media reports that it was in investment talks to potentially receive above 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion U.S.) from three Chinese companies
Automaker Subaru plunged 7.1% after the company acknowledged a report that inspectors who had yet to be certified conducted vehicle inspections. Subaru said it would be implementing measures to restore public trust in the company. The rest of the Japanese auto sector was a mixed picture.
Against the yen, the U.S. dollar was firmer at 112.99, compared to its previous close of 112.89.
The Hang Seng Index retreated 19.57 points, or 0.1%, to 29,234.09, casino stocks rose, with Melco International Development adding 2.2% but heavyweight AIA was lower by 0.6% and Tencent slipped 0.7%.
Korea stocks stumbled as gains in manufacturing names were offset losses in blue-chip names in other sectors. Samsung Electronics declined 1.3%, Hyundai Motor lost 0.3% and Posco rose 2% by the end of the day.
South Korean retailers were lower in morning trade after South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported that visas to South Korea for Chinese tour groups had been banned once more. Lotte Shopping closed down 1.8% and cosmetics giant Amorepacific fell 2.9%
Japanese refiner Idemitsu Kosan soared 3% following news that it will merge crucial operations with Showa Shell Sekiyu. The companies will set up a joint office early next year in a bid to reduce costs by 30 billion yen ($266 million U.S). Showa Shell finished the session 0.7% higher.
Also of note, property developer Dalian Wanda said it would establish "capital cooperation" with retailer Suning Commerce Group, the company said in a statement. Shares of the latter closed up 3.2%
Shares of Hong Kong-listed Fosun International were down 1.6%. Media had reported that the conglomerate was looking to buy a majority stake in Italian lingerie company La Perla.
Mitsubishi Materials on Tuesday said it has found additional issues relating to a data fabrication scandal at the company. In its latest update, Mitsubishi Materials said its Mitsubishi Cable Industries unit could have fabricated data on some of its magnet wires. Shares of the company closed up 0.9%.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 lost 4.84 points, or 0.1%, to 4,030.49
In Korea, the Kospi index fell 6.16 points, or 0.3%, to 2,472.37
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index gained back 37.18 points, or 0.4%, to 10,504.52
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slumped 9.6 points, or 0.3%, to 3,394.87
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 deleted 17.64 points, or 0.2%, to 8,383.56
In Australia, the ASX 200 gained 3.83 points, or 0.1%, to 6,075.62
