Asia markets fall ahead of central bank interest rate decisions from Japan and Australia

Asia-Pacific markets declined on Tuesday prior to upcoming monetary policy decisions from the Bank of Japan and the Reserve Bank of Australia. The BOJ is expected to end its negative interest rate policy after 17 years, with economists forecasting a rate increase from -0.1% to 0%. The RBA, on the other hand, is likely to maintain its benchmark interest rate of 4.35%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 opened lower, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged higher. South Korea’s Kospi fell, and futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index also indicated a weaker opening.