Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday as investors nervously awaited the outcomes of Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan policy meetings that will both conclude on Wednesday.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS slipped 0.1 percent.
Japan's Nikkei share average dipped on Tuesday as investors counted down to Wednesday's Bank of Japan policy decision amid speculation the central bank will make crucial changes to its massive easing programme.
The Nikkei ended down 0.2 percent at 16,492.15 points.
China stocks slipped in thin trading on Tuesday, as gains for property shares after upbeat home price data were not enough to outweigh sluggishness pulling down many other sectors.
The blue-chip CSI300 index fell 0.2 percent, to 3,257.40, while the Shanghai Composite Index dipped 0.1 percent to 3,023.00 points.
Hong Kong stocks ended little changed on Tuesday as investors were reluctant to stake out fresh positions ahead of central bank policy decisions in the United States and Japan.
The Hang Seng index fell 0.1 percent to 23,530.86 points, while the China Enterprises Index was unchanged at 9,751.44.
Reference: Reuters
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