Asian shares mixed

Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday, with Tokyo falling despite a weaker yen and progress in stopping radioactive leaks at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
But dealers in Shanghai and Hong Kong took in their stride another interest rate hike by the Chinese government as it battles to rein in inflation in the world's second biggest economy.
Tokyo fell 0.32 percent, or 31.18 points, to end at 9,584.37 and Seoul slipped 0.17 percent, or 3.72 points, to 2,126.71.
Hong Kong gained 0.56 percent, or 134.47 points, to 24,285.05 and Shanghai jumped 1.14 percent, or 33.95 points, to 3,001.36.
Sydney ended 0.27 percent, or 13.1 points, lower at 4,913.2.
Tokyo's Nikkei was hurt by concerns over the economic impact of the nuclear crisis.
TEPCO fell 6.9 percent to 337 yen -- and has lost around 85 percent of its value since the quake struck -- amid expectations it faces a huge compensation bill that some estimates put at around 10 trillion yen ($118 billion).
The European Central Bank is forecast to raise rates at its next meeting on Thursday as it battles to rein in inflation, while senior officials at the US Federal Reserve have talked up ending its quantitative easing policy and also hike rates.
The yen traded at a more-than-six-month low of 85.28 against the dollar from 84.84 in New York late Tuesday. It also fell to 121.73 yen to the euro from 119.75 yen. The euro was at $1.4273, from $1.4152.
Beijing on Tuesday raised interest rates for the fourth time in seven months as it tries to staunch rising prices. However, although the move was expected the timing took some by surprise,
China's markets were closed on Monday and Tuesday for public holidays.
The precious metal closed at a record $1,456.50-$1,457.50 an ounce in Hong Kong, up from Monday's close of $1,433.00-$1,434.00 as dealers looked for a hedge against rising prices.
Hong Kong markets were closed on Tuesday for a public holiday.
On oil markets, crude fell from two-and-a-half year highs in Asia as traders reaped gains from the recent rally, although Libya and the Middle East provided support.
New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, shed 16 cents to $108.18 per barrel and Brent North Sea crude for May fell 27 cents to $121.95.
In other markets:
Singapore closed 0.75 percent, or 23.58 points, higher at 3,170.33.
Mumbai closed 0.38 percent, or 74.62 points, lower at 19,612.20.
Mobile phone firm Reliance Communications fell 1.2 percent to 110.85.