Asian markets ended mostly lower after a volatile session Wednesday, as investors turned cautious ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates and locked in profits before a holiday in several regional markets.
The Nikkei 225 index dropped 44.38 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 13,849.99. In Hong Kong, the blue-chip Hang Seng Index sank 158.80 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 25,755.35 after rising 1.6 per cent over the past three days.
Sentiment was also sluggish as Japan's industrial output fell a worse-than-expected 3.1 per cent in March from February, the first decline in two months.
Shares in Japan's top oil company, Nippon Oil Corp., fell 5.8 per cent, while major trading house Itochu Corp. declined 4.1 per cent to 1,085 yen.
Shares of Sumitomo Metal Mining slumped 7.8% and Inpex dropped 4.1%.
China's Shanghai Composite was the best performer of the day, advancing 4.8% to 3,693.11, buoyed by strong earnings reports from financial companies Tuesday.
Elsewhere:
South Korea's Kospi rose 0.8% to 1,825.47.
Taiwan's Weighted index advanced 0.3% to 8,919.92, on bargain buying after both fell sharply in the previous session.
New Zealand's NZX 50 index added 0.5% to 3,624.78.
Singapore's Straits Times Index dropped 0.5% to 3,158.20.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200, which fell sharply earlier in the day, recouped most of its losses and ended 0.2% lower at 5,595.40.
with files from other wire services
