Asian markets trade mixed

Asian markets were trading mixed in the morning session; blue chip shares posted losses in Japan while energy producers were leading the gains.

Fresh production concerns post the earthquake in Japan weighed on Nikkei Stock Average, down 0.3% following weakness in blue chip shares.

Hang Seng advanced 0.1% buoyed by energy shares which were lifted by higher crude oil prices. Shanghai Composite was up 0.5% supported by upbeat March trade data.

However, South Korea's Kospi Composite was flat, down 0.04%, Taiwan's weighted index was off 0.5% and Singapore's Strait Times was down 0.4%.