07:01 AM EDT, 09/22/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Asian stock markets were choppy on Monday, with Hong Kong falling back on a lack of positive China-US trade news, but Tokyo gaining on the nation's domestic political scene.

Shanghai also finished modestly in the green, while other regional exchanges were mixed on the high side.

Broad equity indices in Seoul, Taiwan and Tokyo all struck record all-time zeniths, as tech issues again rallied after media reports that the new Apple (AAPL) iPhone is selling briskly.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened higher and held ground, finishing up 0.99% as traders weighed prospects in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP's) underway presidential campaign to choose a successor to outgoing Prime Minister.

"Investors were also optimistic that whoever wins the LDP contest will adopt an expansionary fiscal policy, brokers said," reported The Mainichi newspaper.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 447.85 to 45,493.66, as gaining issues outnumbered losers 147 to 77.

Leading the upside was semiconductor-manufacturing equipment maker Lasertec, up 10.5%, while Japan Steel Works declined 4.1%.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index opened lower and declined through the day, closing down 0.8% after an anticipated telephone call on Friday between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to generate few tangible positive changes in trade relations.

The broad gauge Hang Seng fell 200.96 to 26,344.14, as losing issues outnumbered gainers 70 to 17. The Hang Seng TECH Index lost 0.6% on the day, while the Mainland Properties Index fell 1.2%.

Leading the upside was smartphone-components maker Sunny Optical Technology, gaining 6.7%, while Orient Overseas International declined 5.2%.

On the mainland, the Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% to 3,828.58.

On the other regional exchanges, the S. Korean KOSPI rose 0.7%; the Taiwan TWSE inclined 1.2%; the Australian ASX 200 inclined 0.4%; the Singapore Straits Times Index fell 0.1%, and the Thai Set declined 0.8%. In late trading in Mumbai, the Sensex was down 0.6%.