Japan's Nikkei share average dropped to a near two-week low on Thursday as a stronger yen hurt exporters, although firmer oil prices pulled up oil and mining stocks. The Nikkei ended 1.1 per cent lower at 23,669.49, the weakest closing level since Jan. 12.
Transport equipment stocks tumbled, with Honda Motor Co sliding 1.3 per cent, Subaru Corp falling 1.5 per cent, while electronic appliance maker Panasonic Corp shed 2.2 per cent and chip-making equipment manufacturer Advantest Corp stumbled 2.5 per cent.
Oil and mining stocks outperformed after oil prices hit their highest since December 2014, pushed up after US crude inventories posted a 10th straight week of declines and as the dollar continued to weaken.
Inpex Corp added 0.2 per cent, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co gained 2.0 per cent and Showa Shell Sekiyu advanced 1.3 per cent. The broader Topix declined 0.9 per cent to 1,884.56.