Blackstone Inc., one of the largest asset managers in the world, sees Asia as a “growth engine,” according to Amit Dixit, the firm’s head of private equity for the region.

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.

The dollar ceded some of its overnight gains on Wednesday while Asian stocks put in a mixed display as traders weighed the odds of a super-sized Federal Reserve interest rate cut later in the day. The U.