Asian markets open lower

The Asian markets have started the week in the red with the Japan's Nikkei index opening down 0.3%  as ongoing concern about credit problems in Europe weighed on sentiment.

Hang Seng is down 0.4% and South Korea's Kospi was down 1.3% against a backdrop of tension on the Korean Penninsula, with reports that South Korea will hold firing drills on Monday.

Shanghai Composite, Jakarta Composite, Straits Times shed 0.3% each.Taiwan Weighted is flat at 8,817.