Asian equity markets opened the trading session on a mixed note, as investors weighed escalating geopolitical developments against regional economic data, while defence stocks gave up recent gains and select automakers posted sharp advances.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 opened lower and later slipped 0.45 percent, while the broader Topix declined 0.63 percent, pressured by losses in defence-related shares. Kawasaki Heavy Industries fell 1.1 percent as sentiment toward the sector weakened following two sessions of gains.

South Korean markets showed divergence in early trade. The benchmark Kospi jumped 1.89 percent, supported by strong buying in heavyweight stocks, while the small-cap Kosdaq edged 0.12 percent lower. Defence stocks remained under pressure, with Korea Aerospace Industries down 1.62 percent, Poongsan falling 4.98 percent, and Hanwha Aerospace retreating 1.76 percent.

In contrast, Hyundai Motor shares surged more than 11 percent, extending gains for a sixth consecutive session after the company announced plans to deploy humanoid robots at its US manufacturing facilities from 2028.

Australian equities opened higher, with the ASX/S&P 200 rising 0.38 percent after domestic inflation data came in below expectations. The Consumer Price Index rose 3.4 percent year on year in November, easing from 3.8 percent in October and undershooting market forecasts. Monthly inflation was unchanged, reinforcing expectations that price pressures may be moderating and reducing the likelihood of near-term interest rate hikes.

In Greater China, Hang Seng Index slipped 0.43 percent in early trade, while mainland China’s CSI 300 edged 0.13 percent higher, reflecting cautious investor sentiment.

Geopolitical concerns remained in focus after the White House said Donald Trump and his team were considering multiple options, including potential military measures, to acquire Greenland. Investor attention was also drawn to developments in Venezuela following a US operation over the weekend.

In commodities, US crude oil futures fell 1.3 percent to $56.39 per barrel, after President Trump said Venezuela would transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.

US equity futures were little changed during early Asian hours, following a strong overnight session on Wall Street. The S&P 500 rose 0.62 percent to close at a record 6,944.82, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.99 percent to an all-time high of 49,462.08, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.65 percent to finish at 23,547.17.