TOKYO (AP): Asian shares were mixed Wednesday (May 20) as market players waffled between hopes for recovery as economies gradually reopen and worries over the havoc wreaked by the pandemic.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 rose 0.8% to finish at 20,595.15 on expectations that a state of emergency still in effect for Tokyo and seven other cities and prefectures may soon end. South Korea's Kospi gained 0.5% to 1,989.57. and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.2% to 5,573.00. But Hong Kong's Hang Seng slipped nearly 0.1% to 24,366.81. The Shanghai Composite fell 0.7% to 2,878.36.