Summary China said inflation hit 2.0 percent in August, a four-month low.
HONG KONG (AFP) - Asian shares mostly fell Thursday as China released data showing inflation remained tepid in August while the dollar broke the 107 yen barrier for the first time in six years.
The pound rallied on easing concerns about Scotland s independence vote and hawkish comments from the governor of the Bank of England on interest rates.
Tokyo climbed 0.76 percent, or 120.42 points, to finish at an eight-month high of 15,909.20. However, Sydney fell 0.51 percent, or 28.18 points, to 5,546.1 and Seoul, which was closed from Monday to Wednesday for a public holiday, eased 0.74 percent, or 15.25 points, to 2,034.16.
Shanghai ended 0.29 percent lower, giving up 6.63 points to 2,311.68 while in late trade Hong Kong was 0.28 percent lower.
China said inflation hit 2.0 percent in August, a four-month low and well below the government s 3.5 percent annual target. It also missed the median estimate of 2.2 percent in a survey of 15 economists by the Wall Street Journal.
The figures come at a time of concern over China s economy as the effects of steps taken earlier this year to prop up slowing growth have waned and worries intensify over the potential for a bust in the property sector.
The losses came despite a healthy lead from Wall Street.
The Dow added 0.32 percent and the S&P 500 tacked on 0.36 percent, while the Nasdaq rose 0.75 percent.
The positive outlook helped the dollar push above the 107 yen mark briefly, levels it has not seen since September 2008 during the financial crisis.
- Pound recovers from 10-month low -
In afternoon Tokyo trade the dollar pared its initial gains and stood at 106.84 yen, a tad down from 106.85 yen in New York but still well up from 106.64 yen earlier Wednesday.
The euro bought $1.2911 and 137.95 yen, compared with $1.2916 and 138.02 yen in New York.
The pound was looking healthier on Thursday, buying $1.6219, well up from the 10-month low of $1.6078 touched earlier this week.
The unit sank in response to an opinion poll on the upcoming Scottish independence referendum showing for the first time a majority of people in favour of leaving the United Kingdom.
However, a new survey showed the "No" to independence campaign had restored its lead, soothing concerns about the economic impact of Britain fragmenting.
Also lending support were comments from Bank of England chief Mark Carney suggesting it could hike interest rates as soon as early 2015, citing the country s solid economic recovery.
"You can expect interest rates to begin to increase," Carney said, adding that the bank s forecasts show that hiking rates by the spring of 2015 would allow it to meet its jobs growth and inflation targets.
On oil markets, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for October delivery eased 14 cents to $91.53 while Brent crude for October fell four cents to $98.00 in afternoon trade.
Gold was at $1,249.50 an ounce, against $1,253.47 late Wednesday.
In other markets:
-- Wellington rose 0.49 percent, or 25.67 points, to 5,262.32.
Chorus ended up 0.85 percent at NZ$1.785 and Contact Energy added 1.42 percent to NZ$5.73.
-- Taipei fell 0.37 percent, or 34.66 points, to 9,322.95.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co was unchanged at Tw$125.0 while Hon Hai Precision Industry was 0.99 percent lower at Tw$100.0.
