05:49 AM EST, 02/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets tracked lower Tuesday, as traders weigher global trade tensions and awaited clarity on the Ukraine-Russian war.

Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo finished in the red, as did most other regional exchanges.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower on concerns about US tariffs and could not recover, finishing off 1.4% as traders also mulled a stronger yen limiting export outlooks.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 539.15 to 38,237.79 although gaining issues outnumbered losers 113 to 110.

Leading the upside was industrial conglomerate Mitsubishi, up 8.8%, while diversified manufacturer Hitachi declined 8.5%.

In economic news, yields on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bonds ran near 1.38%, edging lower following recent comments by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that the central bank could increase purchases of the government bonds, if long-term interest rates rise too much.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower, staged a brief rally, but finished off 1.3% on concerns regarding Beijing-Washington trade tensions.

The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 307.59 to 23,034.02 as losing issues outnumbered gainers 66 to 16. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 1.6% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.4%.

Leading the upside was Li Auto, gaining 12.5%, while Trip.com declined 11.9%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite fell 0.8% to 3,346.04.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI fell 0.6%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 1.2%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.7%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.3%, and the Thai Set inclined 2.4%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.62%.