The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index dropped 300.40 points to end at 12,865.05.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares lost 28.21 points or 2.23 per cent to 1,235.54.

HONG KONG
Hong Kong shares closed down 2.1 per cent Tuesday on worries about slowing economic growth.

The Hang Seng index closed down 446.3 points at 20,484.37, its lowest level in a year.

Property stocks were worst hit with Sino Land off 5.3 percent and Cheung Kong Holdings down over 4.3 per cent ahead of its first-half results due on Thursday.

SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices closed up 1.06 per cent on Tuesday, rebounding after China Merchants Bank reported strong first half earnings, dealers said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, was up 24.60 points at 2,344.47 on a turnover of 27.7 billion yuan (S$5.7 billion).

The Shanghai A-share index rose 25.93 points, or 1.06 per cent, to close at 2,461.04 on turnover of 27.6 billion yuan, while the Shenzhen A-share index added 9.66 points, or 1.40 per cent, to 697.28 on turnover of 12.9 billion yuan.

KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian share prices closed 1.4 per cent lower on Tuesday amid growing domestic political uncertainty.

The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index dropped 14.94 points to end at 1,069.42. -- REUTERS, AFP