Decliners beat gainers 1,007 to 551, with 168 stocks unchanged.
The softer tone of the yen, as well as a steady close on Wall Street, helped send shares higher in early trading. Buying, however, ran out of momentum and gave way to broad-based selling by speculators squaring positions ahead of the weekend, dealers said.
SEOUL
South Korean share prices edged up 0.14 percent to hit a record high on sustained foreign investor interest and Wall Street's steady performance overnight, dealers said.
They said that with most markets in the region closed for the Easter holiday, there was no real lead to follow, but volume was nonetheless substantial.
The KOSPI index added 2.11 points at 1,484.15, off a low of 1,477.69 and a high of 1,488.58.
SHANGHAI
Chinese share prices rose 0.13 percent for another record finish despite a further hike in bank reserve requirements as the government seeks to cool the fast growing economy, dealers said.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B-shares, added 4.45 points at 3,323.59.
The Shanghai A-share Index was up 4.59 points or 0.13 percent to 3,492.96, and the Shenzhen A-share Index put on 13.29 points or 1.45 percent at 929.39, also a record.
KUALA LUMPUR
Malaysian share prices closed little changed in thin trade, with major markets were closed for the Easter holidays and as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the weekend, dealers said.
The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index was up 1.44 points or 0.11 percent at 1,278.92.
RSS