Asian markets close lower

TOKYO, Sept 9 (RTTNews) The stock markets across the Asia-Pacific region closed sharply lower Tuesday on profit taking following Monday's rally on the back of the US government's bailout plan for the troubled mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. brThe Japanese market closed sharply lower, as investors locked in profits following Monday's steep gains. brAmong shippers, Kawasaki Kisen plunged 5.90 per cent, Mitsui OSK Lines plummeted 6.90 per cent, and Nippon Yusen fell 4.50 per cent. Top brokerage Nomura Holdings lost 1.10 per cent and Daiwa Securities Group dropped 3.30 per cent. brTrading house Mitsubishi Corp tumbled 5.70 per cent, Marubeni and Mitsui & Company slumped 8.10 per cent each, and Itochu plunged 7.50 per cent as crude oil prices fell in the Asian session Tuesday.brIn the banking space, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group shed 1.20 per cent, Mizuho Financial Group declined 1.30 per cent, and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group fell 2.10 per cent.brThe South Korean market closed lower after surging 5.10 per cent Monday. Investors cashed in on the sharp gains in the tech sector in the previous session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index or KOSPI closed down 22.152 points, or 1.50 per cent, at 1,454.50.