06:37 AM EDT, 07/14/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were choppy on Monday, as traders digested news reports on US tariffs, and a mildly positive bulletin on mainland China's imports and exports.

Hong Kong and Shanghai edged higher, while Tokyo lagged. Other regional exchanges were similarly mixed.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 finished off 0.3% as a stronger yen undercut export issues.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 110.06 to 39,459.62, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 119 to 106.

Leading the upside was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, up 3.9%, while online marketplace Mercari declined 5.4%.

In economic news, Japan's industrial production index fell 2.4% on the year in May, and declined a seasonally adjusted 0.1% from April, reported the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Separately, Japan's tertiary (services) industry activity index rose 0.6% in May from the previous month, and gained 1.5% on the year, reported METI.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index finished up 0.3% after a better-than-expected China international trade report.

The broad gauge Hang Seng rose 63.75 to 24,203.32, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 53 to 27. The Hang Seng TECH Index gained 0.7% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index rose 0.1%.

Leading the upside was coal producer China Shenhua Energy, gaining 5.2%, while dining chain Hai Dai Lao International declined 3.7%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% to 3,519.65.

In economic news, China's exports rose 5.8% in June on the year, boosted by a 32.4% month-on-month rise in outbound shipments to the US from the low base of May, reported the General Administration of Customs.

China's imports in June rose a modest 1.1% on year, and fell by 1.1% from May, added customs officials.

On the other regional exchanges, the South Korean KOSPI rose 0.8%; the Taiwan TWSE declined 0.6%; the Australian ASX 200 declined 0.1%; the Singapore Straits Times Index rose 0.5%, and the Thai Set advanced 2%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.3%