Asian Markets Update: Markets Mostly Lower Amid Regional Concerns

TOKYO -- Most Asian stock markets ended Thursday lower, as investors got spooked from an array of regional woes.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Mori faced increased pressure to step down. Many in opposition, and even some of Mori's own ruling party, are concerned over the slow recovery and reform of the economy. The Nikkei 225 closed down 212.1 points, or 1.4%, at 14,587.0 and the Topix index, which includes all shares listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, rose 21.8, or 1.6%, to 1380.3.

Techs and telcos didn't care much for the political uncertainty, as NEC (NIPNY) fell 65 yen, or 3%, to 2,105 ($19.32), Sony (SNE) closed down 180 yen, or 2.1%, at 8,340 and NTT DoCoMo (NTDMY) dropped 60,000 yen, or 2%, to 2.95 million.

Carmaker Toyota(TM) was one of the day's big losers, as the firm reported slipping profits in the first half after the market close Wednesday. Toyota shares closed down 180 yen, or 4.2%, at 4,110.

The dollar traded at 108.94 yen from 108.18 yen Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Taiwan's TWSE index tanked 282.9 points, or 4.9%, to 5454.1, as the central bank admitted the country's bad loans were higher than the government had estimated. Heavyweight chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) plummeted 6.5%.

South Korea's Kospi index fell 2.5, or 0.4%, to 555.0, as Korea Electric Power (KEP) fell 600 won, or 2.2%, to 27,000 ($23.71) and SK Telecom (SKM) rose 3,000 won, or 1.1%, to 270,000.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng index bucked the downward trend, rising 171.0, or 1.1%, to 15,298.4 amid very low volume. China Mobile (CHL) rose HK$1.60, or 3.2%, to 51.50 ($6.60).

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