Stocks in Asia Pacific’s major markets were mixed on Friday as investors reacted to recent developments from the U.S. Federal Reserve.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 dumped 326.21 points, or 1.4%, to 22,882.65.
The moves came following local media reports the country’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, was set to resign. Abe later confirmed his surprise resignation during a Friday press conference after the market close in Japan.
NHK had reported earlier that Abe plans to step down to "deal with a health problem," citing sources close to the prime minister. A similar report emerged from Kyodo News, citing a source in Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party, that the Japanese prime minister "will step down from his post due to health concerns."
The Japanese yen changed hands at 105.57 per U.S. dollar following the report, after seeing an earlier low of 106.94 against the greenback.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng regained 140.91 points, or 0.6%, to 25,281.15.
Markets in New Zealand gained Friday. Earlier on Friday, the stock exchange was down for the fourth day in a row following cyber attacks earlier this week.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.731 following its rise this week from levels below $0.72.
In other markets
The CSI 300 recovered 112.92 points, or 2.4%, to 4,844.27.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index picked up 19.82 points, or 0.8%, to 2.539.63.
In Korea, the Kospi moved ahead 9.35 points, or 0.4%, to 2,353.80.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index dropped 68.46 points, or 0.5%, to 12,728.85.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 added 40.09 points, or 0.3%, to 12,093.52.
In Australia, the ASX 200 fell 52.42 points, or 0.9%, to 6,073.81
