Asian stocks were lower on Thursday following negative economic signs from the U.S. spurred profit-taking.
Tokyo's stocks fell 0.7 per cent after hitting a two-week closing high the previous day,
The Nikkei index fell 0.54 per cent to 9,685.13. The broader Topix retreated 0.5 percent to 861.44.
Seoul shares edged lower after weak economic data from the U.S., South Korea's third largest export market.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 0.2 per cent to 1,769.73
Australian stocks fell 0.38 per cent to 4,512.6 after four straight days of gains,with financial stocks pulling market down following negative economic signs from the U.S.
Taiwan stocks fell 0.4 per cent to 7,757.29 following falls on Wall Street, while investors eyed the quarterly results of TSMC.
