Japanese shares ended the session lower pressured by a rise in the yen, a move that negatively impacts Japanese exporters as it makes domestic goods and services more expensive in the export markets.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index gave up 134.84 points, or 0.83 percent, on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, to finish at 16,122.16 while in Hong Kong, the blue chip Hang Seng Index edged down 67.79 points, or 0.28 percent, to 23,982.61.
Japanese stocks moving lower included Canon Inc., and automakers, Toyota Motor and Honda Motor.
In China, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index (SCI) fell 116.48 points, or 2.16 percent, to finish at 5,277.18, on news the People's Bank of China increased the bank's reserve requirement in an effort to stem money growth.
ELSEWHERE:
SEOUL: South Korea's Kospi fell 0.21% to 1,884.90 despite a decision by the central bank to hold interest rates.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Straits Times Index rose 0.66% to 3,488.97.
TAIPEI: Taiwan's Weighted index added 0.01% to 9,018.08.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's NZX 50 edged up 0.29% to 4,151.98.
SYDNEY: Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.50% to 6,296.50.
with files from other wire services
