In Japan, the Nikkei 225 stock average lost 19.26 points, or 0.2 percent, to 10,732.00. Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1 percent at 21,004.54 and South Korea's benchmark shed 1.1 percent to 1,644.47.

President Barack Obama's likely choice of Janet Yellen to become vice chairman of the Federal Reserve would favor a policy that stresses low interest rates to ease unemployment over higher rates to curb inflation.

Oil prices fell below $82 a barrel on Thursday in Asia as traders eyed tepid U.S. crude demand amid an overall economic expansion.

Oil prices dropped to near $81 a barrel on Tuesday in Asia, losing momentum after a monthlong run-up fueled by growing investor optimism about global economic growth.

Asian stocks were mixed Thursday after the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve reassured investors borrowing costs will stay at rock-bottom lows to revive the economy.