Asian markets weak; Nikkei drops 193pts

Asian markets are exhibiting mixed trend in early trades.

The Nikkei has shed 193 points to 17,477. The Straits Times index has slipped 17 points to 3404, and the Taiwan Weighted index has dropped three points to 8081.

On the other hand, the Shanghai Composite index and the Seoul Composite index are marginally up at 3500 and 1517, respectively.