Asia shares mixed

Asian shares were mixed in quiet trade on Tuesday as Tokyo was hurt by renewed fears over the crisis at its stricken atomic plant and China raised interest rates to curb rampant lending.
With few catalysts to spur buying, dealers returned their attention to Japan where crews at Fukushima have begun dumping radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean to prevent even more dangerous material from being released.
Tokyo's Nikkei slipped 1.06 percent, or 103.34 points, to end at 9,615.55, while Sydney gained 0.27 percent, or 13.3 points, to 4,900.1. Seoul gained 0.69 percent, or 14.56 points, to 2,130.43. Markets in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan were closed for public holidays.
China's central bank said it would raise one-year deposit and lending rates by 25 basis points -- the fourth hike since late last year -- in its latest effort to rein in lending and bring inflation under control. The latest move takes the one-year deposit and lending rates to 3.25 percent and 6.31 percent respectively.
Japan's losses followed a strong performance on Monday, when investors were buoyed by strong jobs figures out of the United States.
Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), which operates the plant, insisted the release of the water -- the equivalent of more than four Olympic-sized swimming pools -- would not harm marine life or seafood safety.
However, the firm's stock price was sent tumbling again, shedding more than 18 percent amid fears over possible huge compensation claims against it. The firm has lost more than 80 percent of its value before the earthquake.
The euro bought $1.4181 in European morning trade, down from $1.4220 in New York late Monday. The single European currency had hit a five-month high of $1.4268 in intraday trade Monday.
The greenback also gained to 84.22 yen from 84.03 yen. The euro changed hands at 119.44 yen from 119.67.
Oil prices edged lower on profit-taking but the troubles in Libya and the Middle East continued to provide support.
Oil slid in afternoon Asian trade, with New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, down 34 cents to $108.13 per barrel.
Brent North Sea crude for May delivery fell 27 cents to $120.79.
In other markets:
Singapore closed 0.20 percent, or 6.13 points, higher at 3,146.75. Kuala Lumpur fell 0.15 percent, or 2.41 points, to 1,553.07. Bangkok shed 0.23 percent, or 2.53 points, to close at 1,076.13.
Mumbai fell 0.16 percent, or 31.86 points, to 19,669.87.
India's second biggest mobile phone firm Reliance Communications rose 1.88 percent or 2.05 rupees to 111.2.