Stock Market: Asia sluggish ahead of Fed meeting, Tokyo weak (-1.3%)

Asian stock markets and Pacific area generally weak awaiting signals clearer from the Federal Reserve on a possible cut in rates in September. Tokyo, also weighed down by some corporate quarterly results below estimates, it closed down 1.3% with the index Nikkei 225. Hong Kong down 0.4% and stock markets weak Chinese. Seoul closed flat, Sydney up 0.5%. Futures are uncertain as to the start of European markets.