Tokyo's main index closes lower in softer trading for Asian equities

Nikkei 10-04

That said, the index is closing at the highs for the day as Asian stocks are pulling off a late recovery in the session. China's Shanghai Composite is also trading up to session highs now, posting a 0.2% gain after having traded in the red for majority of the day so far.

However, risk tones remain relatively subdued for the time being so let's see if this late boost will translate into anything more in European trading later.