"BOJ Meeting and US Inflation Test Shake Asia Shares"

Asian stock markets slipped as investors awaited the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) meeting for potential clues on tightening policies, while also keeping an eye on U.S. inflation data that could impact market expectations of interest rate cuts. The BOJ is not expected to make any definitive moves at this meeting, but analysts believe they might start laying the groundwork for a shift away from negative interest rates. Meanwhile, U.S. inflation is forecasted to slow, leading to expectations of early and aggressive action by the Federal Reserve to ease policy. The market's dovish outlook for U.S. rates has led to a decline in the dollar and yields, while also supporting gold prices.