Japan's Nikkei average inched down to its lowest close in three weeks on Thursday after the yen regained strength against the dollar and Shanghai shares fell.
The Nikkei briefly rose in the morning as the yen dropped after US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said major currencies were roughly in alignment now, but the effect was short-lived as the yen rebounded and dragged down Japanese shares along.
The benchmark Nikkei eased 5.12 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 9,376.48, its lowest close since Sept. 30.
