Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly lower Thursday as investors kept an eye on Brexit trade talks as well as ongoing negotiations in the U.S. for a coronavirus relief package.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 slipped 61.7 points, or 0.2%, to 26,756.24.
The Japanese yen changed hands at 104.48 per U.S. dollar, weakening from an earlier level around 104.18
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index lost 92.25 points, or 0.4%, to 26,410.59.
Australian markets tumbled, with all sectors finishing in the red. The energy sub-index dropped 0.4% as oil stocks struggled for gains.
Elsewhere, the Australian dollar strengthened 0.19% to $0.7459.
A three-hour meeting between U.K. and European Union leaders on Wednesday evening failed to break an impasse in Brexit trade talks.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed that a firm decision should be made by Sunday about the future of the talks, media reports said citing a senior Downing Street source.
In other markets
In Shanghai, the CSI 300 eked lower 2.18 points to 4,940.52.
In Korea, the Kospi index slumped 9.01 points, or 0.3%, to 2,746.46
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index fainted 140.65 points, or 1%, to 14,249.49.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slipped 18.11 points, or 0.6%, to 2,824.96.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 faded 29.03 points, or 0.2%, to 12,860.37.
In Australia, the ASX 200 hesitated 45.35points, or 0.7%, to 6,683.12.