ASIAN markets have mostly fallen as Tokyo slipped following an uptick in the yen while Chinese shares fell on fears Beijing may act to rein in soaring property prices. Seoul added 0.20 per cent to 1985.83 and Sydney ended 18.5 points, or 0.37 per cent, higher at 5081.9. Hong Kong lost 1.02 per cent, or 238.03 points, to 23,143.91, while Shanghai shares closed down 1.60 per cent, or 38.65 points, at 2382.91 amid fears Beijing may tighten regulations in the sector to try to control home prices. "Negative factors, including rebounding property prices and inflation pressures, are gaining momentum," Tebon Securities analyst Zhang Haidong told Dow Jones Newswires. In Tokyo, Finance Minister Taro Aso moved to reassure on the independence of the Bank of Japan and also said the government had "no intention" of asking the central bank to buy foreign bonds as part of its monetary easing policy. The yen rose after Aso's comments took the edge off Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's warning Monday that he would consider changing the law to take control of the bank if it could not achieve a new two per cent inflation target. "We are not thinking about a law change at the moment," Aso said at a regular news conference Tuesday. Abe's remarks had added to selling pressure on the yen, which was already weakened by the Group of 20's decision not to label Tokyo a currency manipulator over its recent monetary easing policy. In foreign exchange trade, the dollar slipped to 93.67 yen in Tokyo from 93.95 yen in London on Monday, while the euro was weaker at 125.02 yen against 125.43 yen. The euro was also at $1.3348 against $1.3353. "The pair (dollar against the yen) fell on Mr. Aso's remarks on foreign bond purchases," said a senior dealer at a major Japanese trust bank. Oil prices turned lower, with New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in March falling four cents to $95.53 a barrel in the afternoon. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in April slipped 27 cents to $117.42. Gold was at $US1612.50 at 1050 GMT, compared with $1610.52 late Monday. In other markets: Singapore closed 0.23 per cent, or 7.63 points, higher at 3295.77. Property developer City Developments was down 0.61 per cent to SGT$11.34 while United Overseas Bank gained 0.05 per cent to SGT$19.35. Bangkok added 0.58 per cent, or 8.78 points, to 1532.07. Airports of Thailand dropped 2.98 per cent to 114.00 baht, while coal producer Banpu rose 1.88 per cent to 380.00 baht. Kuala Lumpur lost 0.36 per cent, or 5.86 points, to 1,615.07. CIMB shed 0.3 per cent to 6.98 ringgit, Kuala Lumpur Kepong eased 0.4 per cent to 21.20 and Malayan Banking dipped 0.3 per cent to 8.84 while YTL Corp gained 1.3 per cent to 1.58 ringgit. Jakarta slipped 9.98 points, or 0.22 per cent, to 4602.06. Palm oil producer Astra Agro Lestari fell 2.12 per cent to 18,500 rupiah, food manufacturer Cahaya Kalbar lost 4.29 per cent to 1560 rupiah, and cigarette producer Gudang Garam rose 0.59 per cent to 50,950 rupiah. Taipei added 0.22 per cent, or 17.35 points, to 7960.88. HTC climbed 3.68 per cent to Tw$282.0 while Hon Hai Precision was 1.57 per cent higher at Tw$84.1. Wellington ended 0.71 per cent, or 29.73 points, higher at 4244.21. Contact Energy rose 3.4 per cent to NZ$5.25, Telecom added 1.1 per cent to NZ$2.28 and Sky City was flat at NZ$4.02. Mumbai advanced 0.69 per cent, or 134.64 points, to 19,635.72. Tech Mahindra climbed 4.82 per cent to 1034.0 rupees while ailing Kingfisher Airlines rose 5.0 per cent to 10.53 rupees on hopes of fresh funding.