Asian stocks slid in early trade as financial markets waited on a rush of key US economic data delayed by the government shutdown while investors rolled back bets of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month.

Traders are looking to the US data to provide clues on the health of the world's largest economy, with the closely watched September nonfarm payrolls report due on Thursday.

Focus in the region was also on Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's meeting with Bank of Japan governor Kazuo Ueda, the first discussions to be held between the pair since the new leader was inaugurated last month.

"There will be interest in the outcome of the meeting, given Takaichi's reputation as an advocate of easy monetary policy and fiscal policy and the market wondering when, or if, the BOJ will tigh

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