Japan's imports and exports in August rose 2.3% and 5.6%, respectively, from a year ago, both missing Reuters poll estimates of 13.4% and 10% growth.

Asian stocks made a cautious start on Monday in a week that is almost certain to see the start of an easing cycle in the United States with the only question mark being the size of the cut, with markets split on the chance of an outsized move.

Markets in Europe and Asia shot higher on Thursday after the Federal Reserve kicked off its efforts to prevent a recession in the U.S. with a bigger-than-usual cut to interest rates. U.S. futures were higher after a lackluster response on Wall Street to the Fed's move the day before.