Japanese stocks fell Tuesday as worse-than-expected machinery order data led investors to sell precision equipment makers shares like Fanuc Ltd.
The benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index fell 164.96 points, or 0.93 percent, to finish at 17,512.98 points on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On Monday, the index 0.71 percent.
Chinese stocks slipped 3.6 percent on Tuesday as investors sold shares in blue chips amid from regulators against speculative trading. But mid-sized Bank of Communications surged 71 percent in its Shanghai debut.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed at 3,900.56, down 3.6 percent. The Shenzhen Composite Index fell 2.6 percent to 1,097.94.
Hong Kong shares fell Tuesday after hitting record highs in the previous session, dragged down by profit taking in blue chips and lingering worries of economic tightening measures in China.
The blue chip Hang Seng Index fell 111.09 points, or 0.53 percent, to 20,868.15.
Taiwan shares dropped Tuesday amid a lack of clear signals about the island's ties with rival China and worries about a possible correction in international markets after recent gains.
The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange fell 55.53 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 7975.03 points.
Elsewhere:
SINGAPORE: The benchmark Straits Times index retreated 0.74 percent, or 26 points, to 3475.10, backing off from the previous session's record high of 3501.10.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips lost 1 percent to 1,346.10 points.
SEOUL: The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 16.40 points, or 1 percent, to 1,589.37.
MANILA: Philippine shares surged to their highest level in 10 years Tuesday, inspired by relatively smooth midterm elections. The benchmark 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange Index advanced 44.12 points, or 1.3 percent, at 3,408.73.
WELLINGTON: The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 24.2 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,214.78.
With files from wire services
