06:04 AM EST, 01/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were choppy on Tuesday, as traders weighed a promise from Beijing to assist equities, but also viewed odds for a rate hike from the Bank of Japan.

Hong Kong and Shanghai gained, while Tokyo finished in the red. Other exchanges were also mixed.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower on Wall Street cues and declined to the close, finishing off 1.8% after a three-day weekend.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 716.10 to 38,474.30, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 169 to 51.

Leading the upside was household-goods retailer Ryohin Keikaku, up 4.7%, while semiconductor-test equipment maker Advantest fell 9.3%.

In economic news, Japan's Economy Watchers Survey index rose to 49.9 in December, up from 49.4 in November, but still marginally below the 50-marker that separates optimism from pessimism, reported the Cabinet Office. The survey measures the mood and outlook of front-line workers in service industries, such as cab drivers, restaurant staff and hotel workers.

Also, the Bank of Japan will debate a rate hike next week, after contemplating the US interest-rate outlook, and domestic inflation, said the central bank's Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened evenly and rose to the close, finishing up 1.8% after a Beijing regulator said authorities would take steps to ensure market momentum.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 345.63 to 19,219.78 as gaining issues outnumbered losers 71 to 10. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 3.1% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 1.3%.

Leading the upside was beverage-house Nongfu Spring, gaining 5.4%, while New Oriental Education and Technology fell 3.7%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 2.5% to 3,240.94.

In economic news, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued an online statement that it will collaborate with the People's Bank of China to enhance the effectiveness of the two new funding facilities, launched late last year, to boost stock-buying by financial institutions.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 0.3%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 1.4%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 0.5%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.1%, and the Thai Set declined 1%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was up 0.2%