Asian markets were mostly lower on Tuesday in quiet trade as dealers sit tight ahead of the conclusion of a Bank of Japan policy meeting later in the day.

With expectations high that after a two-day meeting the board will unveil further monetary easing measures and set itself a two per cent inflation target, the dollar and euro resumed their upward trend against the yen.

Tokyo dipped 0.10 per cent, while Hong Kong eased 0.21 per cent, Shanghai fell 0.63 per cent and Seoul was flat, while Sydney lost 0.20 per cent.