Markets in Asia closed mixed on Thursday, as investors remained on edge ahead of the U.K. vote on whether to leave the European Union (EU).
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 jumped 172.63 points, or 1.1%, to 16,283.31
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index gained 73.22 points, or 0.4%, to 20,868.34
The Japanese yen maintained its relative strength against the dollar, trading at 104.43. The currency strengthened from levels near 106 against the greenback following the Bank of Japan's decision to keep monetary policy unchanged earlier this month.
Shares of Sharp Corp pared some gains to close up 6.4%, following reports that new controlling shareholder Foxconn said it would terminate some costly operations. The Japanese business daily Nikkei also reported that Sharp will begin OLED shipments next year.
In South Korea, shares of Hyundai Merchant Marine surged 30%. Dow Jones reported Thursday that the struggling company had entered negotiations to join 2M, the world's largest shipping alliance.
Australian markets eked higher as miners saw more than 1% advances, with shares of Rio Tinto closing up 2.7% and Fortescue rising 8.3%
Market moves were relatively muted, despite lingering uncertainty over the U.K. referendum. Britons head to the polls on Thursday to cast a vote that would determine if the United Kingdom should remain or leave the 28-member EU trade bloc.
In other markets
The Shanghai CSI 300 backed off 16.64 points, or 0.5%, to 3,117.23
In Korea, the Kospi lost 5.87 points, or 0.3%, to 1,986.71
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index restored 7.72 points, or 0.3%, to 2,793.85
In Taiwan, the Taiex index doffed 39.57 points, or 0.5%, to 8,676.68
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 recovered 39.62 points, or 0.6%, to 6,821.36
The ASX 200 regained 9.74 points, or 0.2%, to 5,280.68
