Stocks in Asia-Pacific mostly rose on Thursday after the S&P 500 nudged higher to a record closing high overnight.
The Nikkei 225 lost 21.81 points, or 0.1%, Thursday to 29,708.98.
The Japanese yen traded at 109.47 per U.S. dollar, stronger than levels above 110.5 against the greenback seen early this week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index regained 333.27 points, or 1.2%, to 29,008.07.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7627, having seen an earlier low of $0.76.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 regrouped 8.47 points, or 0.2%, to 5,112.21.
In Singapore, the Straits Times index fell 9.36 points, or 0.3%, to 3,186.40
In Korea, the Kospi index added 5.85 points, or 0.2%, to 3,143.26.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index hiked 111.08 points, or 0.7%, to 16,926.44.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 soared 145.02 points, or 1.2%, to 12,632.60.
In Australia, the ASX 200 climbed 70.75 points, or 1%, to 6,998.77.