Asian markets were mostly down on Thursday with traders booking profits after another strong rally in the previous session, while they are also awaiting the release of Chinese economic indicators.
Tokyo’s Nikkei suffered a deep correction after storming almost four per cent to its highest level since September 2008, while the yen reclaimed some of its losses in recent days.
Tokyo fell 0.93 per cent, or 106.68 points, to 11,357.07 and Seoul slipped 0.23 per cent, or 4.42 points, to 1,931.77 but Sydney rose 0.30 per cent, or 14.7 points, to 4,935.7.
In the afternoon Hong Kong slipped 0.24 per cent and Shanghai was down 0.83 per cent.
Traders opted out of big risks ahead of the latest numbers from China due to be released on Friday before the country shuts up shop for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Beijing will unveil data on trade and inflation that will provide a clearer idea of the state of the world’s number two economy after a string up upbeat figures indicated it has emerged from a severe slowdown.