Asian equities ended mixed in Monday trade, with the dollar sinking against the yen, following tensions in the Korean Peninsula and better-than-expected Chinese economic data.
The Nikkei 225 in Japan eked higher 19.63 points, or 0.1%, to 18,355.26.
Media reports say North Korea tested a missile which "blew up" soon after launch, following a military parade over the weekend. The test came before U.S. Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Seoul for a trip aimed at reassuring American allies in Asia.
The U.S. dollar/yen pairing traded at 108.41, earlier plunging to its lowest levels since November.
The Australian dollar strengthened to trade at $0.7586 U.S., its highest level since the beginning of April.
Over in Singapore, March non-oil domestic exports exceeded expectations and surged 16.5% on year, driven by a 20.5% year-on-year rise in non-electronic NODX.
Markets in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand were shuttered for Easter Monday.
CHINA
Mainland Chinese markets were mostly lower even though economic data released earlier in the day was slightly better than expected.
The CSI 300 in Shanghai slumped 5.99 points, or 0.2%, to 3,479.82
China first-quarter gross domestic product grew 6.9% on year, higher than the 6.8% forecast. First quarter GDP rose 1.3% quarter-on-quarter. Other Chinese data was similarly upbeat, with March industrial output accelerating 7.6% on year, the fastest pace of growth since
December 2014
In other markets
In Taiwan, the Taiex index dipped 16.53 points, or 0.2%, to 9,716.40
The Kospi Index in Korea moved higher 10.88 points, or 0.5%, to 2,145.78
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index slumped 30.94 points, or 1%, to 3,138.30
