TOKYO: Asian markets were mixed on Thursday as investors took a breather after the latest rally while they try to assess when the Federal Reserve will begin to wind down its vast monetary easing program.

After a troubled start to the week, equities across much of the region have enjoyed healthy gains the past two days as US central bank chiefs looked to temper fears that record-low interest rates and colossal bond-buying were in their final throes. Traders have for months worried that the blistering global recovery will fan inflation and force officials to act.