TOKYO-- Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday, AP reported.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 lost 1.1% in afternoon trading to 26,134.71. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.5% to 6,594.50. South Korea's Kospi shed 1.9% to 2,297.02. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 2.4% to 21,333.26 while the Shanghai Composite slid 1.9% to 3,337.88.

U.S. benchmark crude oil was up 42 cents at $99.92 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 97 cents to $103.74 per barrel.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar edged down to 135.12 Japanese yen from 135.84 yen. The euro cost $1.0260, inching down from $1.0266.

Source: Saudi Press Agency