Asia traded mixed on Thursday amid lingering uncertainty over key central bank policy meetings next week, while markets in China, Taiwan and South Korea were closed for public holidays.
The Nikkei 225 index in Tokyo lost 209.23 points, or 1.3%, to 16,405.01, as stocks came under pressure from a relatively stronger yen and growing uncertainty over the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) monetary policy meeting due next week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index recovered 144.95 points, or 0.6%, to 23,335.59
Japanese banking and finance shares fell amid the uncertainty surrounding the BOJ, with Mitsubishi UFJ closing down 1.9%, SMFG off 1.9%, Mizuho down 1.6% and Nomura Holdings off by 2.2%
Among other major currency pairs, the Japanese yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar to a session high of 101.92, compared with levels near 103.29 on Wednesday afternoon local time. As of the end of Thursday, the dollar/yen traded at 102.42.
Renewed strength in yen likely put pressure on major export stocks, with Toyota selling off 1.3%, Nissan down by 2.4% and Sony off by 1.2%.
The Australian dollar traded at $0.7459, following a weaker-than-expected employment report. Before the release of the report, the Aussie was at levels near $0.7479.
Australian markets forged ahead, even though energy sectors moved downward.
Shares in Santos fell 2.9%, Oil Search was down 0.8% and Woodside Petroleum declined 1.1%
In other markets
The Straits Times Index in Singapore shed 3.83 points, or 0.1%, to 2,805.52
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 fell 14.48 points, or 0.2%, to 7,196.24
The ASX 200 added 12.17 points, or 0.2%, to 5,239.86
