Asian stocks closed mixed on Monday, with markets in greater China lagging the rest of the region, as investors digested geopolitical tensions on the back of U.S.-led airstrikes on Syria last week.
The Nikkei 225 Index gained 56.79 points, or 0.3%, to close Monday at 21,835.53.
The banking and securities sectors ended moderately lower, while utilities stocks and pharmaceuticals contributed to overall gains. Against the yen, the U.S. dollar edged down slightly to trade at 107.21 late in the afternoon session, after touching as high as 107.61 earlier in the session.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index faded 492.79 points, or 1.6%, to 30,315.59, as financials and technology names took a hit. Property developers were also downbeat, with China Evergrande tumbling 5.3% before the market close.
Those declines came as the Hong Kong dollar, which is pegged to the greenback, remained close to the weak end of the currency's trading band.
In individual movers, Hong Kong-listed shares of Russian aluminum company Rusal tumbled 28.9% Monday, following news that the U.S. was preparing additional sanctions against Russia. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday that those measures would be announced on Monday U.S. hours
In Korea, technology shares were a mixed picture, with Samsung Electronics gaining 1.1% while manufacturing stocks were mostly lower.
In Australia, gains were led by energy and utilities stocks.
CHINA
In China, the CSI 300 ditched 62.28 points, or 1.6%, to 3,808.86, on weakness in insurers and banking names.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi inched forward 2.42 points, or 0.1%, to 2,457.49
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index dropped 4.11 points, or 0.1%, to 3,497.19
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index slumped 10.84 points, or 0.1%, to 10,954.55
In New Zealand, the NZD 50 Index doffed 8.42 points, or 0.1%, to 8,406.35
In Australia, the ASX 200 Index added 12.26 points, or 0.2%, to 5,841.34
