Asian Stocks End Lower; Nikkei Falls 2.9%

Updated from 1:34 a.m. EDT

By Stephen Wright

BANGKOK -- Asian stocks closed lower Tuesday, with Japan's benchmark down about 3%, after weak U.S. manufacturing figures knocked confidence in a quick recovery from global recession.

Oil retreating from eight-month highs dragged commodity stocks lower in Asia while top manufacturers like Japanese automaker Toyota (TM Quote) fell on the weak data. The dollar weakened after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told a regional summit that the world needs new reserve currencies. ...