Most Asia-Pacific markets declined on Thursday as investors evaluated the Bank of Japan's decision to keep short-term interest rates at 0.5 per cent for the fourth consecutive time, as anticipated. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 1.51 per cent in the last hour, and mainland China's CSI 300 index decreased 1.82 per cent to 4,075.59. In South Korea, the Kospi index closed 0.28 per cent lower at 3,245.44, while the Kosdaq rose 0.2 per cent to 805.24. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 benchmark ended the day at 8,742.80, down by 0.16 per cent. In India, the Nifty 50 index was 0.18 per cent higher, but the BSE Sensex index remained flat as of 1.05 p.m. Indian Standard Time (3.35 a.m. ET). Attribution: CNBC Subediting: Y.Yasser
