China, Hong Kong and India markets were closed for the Labour Day public holiday.
Japanese shares ended lower, dragged by brokerage and shipping stocks, as uncertainty continues over the Fed's policy outlook due to recent signs of strong inflation. Nomura Holdings shed 3.5% and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines dropped 5.2%. The Nikkei Stock Average fell 0.3% to 38274.05. The 10-year Japanese government bond yield rose 2 basis points to 0.890%. Investors will be focusing on the U.S. central bank's policy decision later in the day.