In Asian markets, the Nikkei in Tokyo ended the morning session up 63.11 points at 12,897.29. Resignation of Japan's Prime Minister had little effect on Tokyo stocks, as gains for automakers, financials and industrials led to a modest advance in key regional stock benchmarks.
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong was down 42 points or 0.2% at 20,864 while the Kospi in Seoul added 5 points or 0.3% to 1419. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was up 48 points or almost 1% at 5166.
The Straits Times in Singapore was nearly unchanged at 2715 while the Shanghai Composite in China slid 29 points or 1.3% at 2295 and the Taiex in Taiwan slumped 117 points or 1.7% at 6695.
