Southeast Asian stocks declined but Asian markets mostly advanced on Wednesday as investors await the end of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting later in the day, hoping for clues about its plans for interest rates.
Manila closed 0.42% lower, giving up 32.52 points to 7,756.58 and Jakarta ended down 0.48%, or 26 points, at 5,413.15.
Singapore ended down 0.24%, or 8.20 points, at 3,361.75 while Kuala Lumpur added 0.54%, or 9.70 points, to 1,797.57.
Shanghai and Hong Kong were the stand-out performers on hopes of fresh stimulus measures from China, while the dollar edged down as investors kept their powder dry before the Fed announcement.
Japan's Nikkei index rallied from early losses as Nintendo soared more than 21, hitting its daily stop limit, after the company announced plans to enter the mobile gaming market.
Tokyo rose 0.55%, or 107.48 points, to 19,544.48, Sydney was marginally higher, edging up 0.18 points to 5,842.30 and Seoul was slightly lower, dipping 1.46 points to 2,028.45.
Shanghai added 2.13%, or 74.45 points, to 3,577.30 -- its highest close since mid-May 2008 -- with investors still buoyed by weekend comments from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that the government can support the economy if it continues to struggle.
Hong Kong gained 0.91%, or 218.59 points, to 24,120.08 and Taipei rose 1.19%, or 113.99 points, to 9,653.43.
"High trading activity means the stock market will be supported," said Yan Liu, a trader at Guosen Securities, referring to Chinese shares. "Speculation of more stimulus to come is helping to propel the market higher."
While the Fed is not expected to lift rates Wednesday, global traders are keeping a keen eye on what it has to say about its near-term plans after a recent mixed bag of economic data.
"There are expectations that the word 'patient' will disappear from the forward guidance part of the Fed's statement, while (Fed chief Janet) Yellen will say that they're not in a hurry to raise rates," said Hiroichi Nishi, an equities manager at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc in Tokyo.