Japan's Nikkei share average fell to a three-week low on Wednesday and suffered its fourth consecutive losing session as the yen surged following comments from Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index dipped 49.94 points, or 0.3%, to 20,046.36, its lowest close since May 19, erasing earlier gains as the yen jumped after Kuroda said its effective exchange rate is unlikely to weaken further.
Hong Kong stocks fell on Wednesday as investors remained cautious over Greek debt talks, the prospects of a U.S. rate hike and uncertainty surrounding a politically sensitive local vote next week.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index plummeted 301.88 points, or 1.1%, to 26,687.64.
There are no signs of a breakthrough yet in the stalemate between the Greek government and its creditors, as time runs critically short to unlock funding from international lenders and avert a debt default.
Foreign appetite for Hong Kong stocks has also been curbed by the prospects of the Federal Reserve raising interest rate in coming months.
Investors are also anxious ahead of a vote by legislators in Hong Kong next Wednesday on a China-backed plan to elect the city's next leader in 2017.
China wants to select candidates to run in the vote, but many in Hong Kong want the right to freely choose their next leader, raising the prospect of more pro-democracy protests like those which rocked the territory last year.
In other markets
The Shanghai CSI 300 fell 8.35 points, or 0.2%, to 5,309.11,
In Korea, the Kospi index shed 12.71 points, or 0.6%, to 2,051.32
In Taiwan, the Taiex recovered 106.63 points, or 1.2%, to 9,298.50
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index regained 30.64 points, or 0.9%, to 3,325.77
The NZX 50 lost 58.24 points, or 1%, to 5,803.87
The ASX 200 Index inched ahead 6.27 points, or 0.1%, to 5,485.99.
