Asian stock markets saw a mixed start to the new quarter with investors absorbing conflicting signals from a slightly disappointing Bank of Japan Tankan survey but positive manufacturing data from China.

Japanese equities dropped after news of share issues by All Nippon Airways and Orix. The Nikkei 225 lost 0.2 per cent to 9,939.93 points and the broader Topix was also down 0.2 per cent to 928.30 points.