Asian equities slipped on Tuesday as nervousness over Greece potentially withdrawing from the euro and escalating conflict in Ukraine sapped risk appetite, while the dollar lost steam after its payrolls-inspired rally.
Chinese data offered no help to risk assets, as signs of weakness in the world's second largest economy were reinforced by inflation hitting a five-year low. On the flip side, mounting concern over the slowdown should increase prospects for further stimulus.
"This will likely be the low point for CPI inflation given that oil is rebounding. Still, the data will increase rate cut expectations and we see a cut in March," said Dariusz Kowalczyk, senior economist at Credit Agricole in Hong Kong.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.1 percent. Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.8 percent and shares in Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong were also lower.
No Deal
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday ruled out extending Greece's bailout deal and said some of the reforms imposed by lenders would be reversed.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker raised tensions further on Monday by saying Greeks should not expect the euro zone to accept their latest terms.
In currencies, the euro edged up 0.1 percent to $1.1331, having found support for now at a one-week low of $1.1270.
The dollar fell 0.2 percent to 118.44 yen, pulling back from a near one-month high of 119.23 reached on Friday in a rally triggered by robust U.S. non-farm payrolls.
Crude oil snapped three days of gains after a preliminary survey showed that U.S. commercial crude stockpiles hit a record high last week.