Asia Stock Markets Today: Nikkei, Hang Seng, Shanghai and Kospi Rise as Tech Rebounds; Australia, Malaysia Slip (Dec. 17, 2025)
North Asian markets led gains in Asia on Wednesday, with Japan’s Nikkei up 0.26% and South Korea’s KOSPI rising 1.43% as chip and AI stocks rebounded. Mainland China’s CSI 300 jumped 1.83%. Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.2% amid banking-sector pressure. Investors positioned ahead of a Bank of Japan decision, while Thailand cut rates and Indonesia held steady.