While this week's Asian economic calendar may appear less dense than usual, it's packed with crucial data releases that will shape market sentiment.

Investors will be monitoring South Korea's employment figures, India's inflation readings, and Indonesia's and Australia's consumer confidence readings.

Notably, Japan's Shunto wage negotiations will command attention, offering potential signals for monetary policy.

Market participants will also see the release of industrial output data from Malaysia and updates from China's Two Sessions.

Despite a seemingly lighter schedule, the coming days will provide essential clues about the current state and future trajectory of Asian economies.

Here's a breakdown of the key events to watch this week.

TUESDAY, March 11

Japan will disclose its final gross domestic product for the last three months of 2024.

"Q4 GDP is likely to be revised downward slightly from 0.7% quarter on quarter, seasonally adjusted, to 0.5% as capital spending comes in weaker than expected," ING said in a note.

Meanwhile, Malaysia will report its January jobs numbers, while Indonesia will release February consumer confidence data.

Down Under, the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index for March will be released, alongside NAB's monthly business confidence survey.

"Consumer confidence likely increased, with rate expectations remaining at a cycle low. NAB Business Survey will likely show confidence and conditions slightly improved. Cost pressures will be in focus given a sharp rise in labor costs in the prior print," Morgan Stanley said in a note.

China's Two Sessions, the annual meetings of the nation's top political advisory body and highest legislature, conclude on Tuesday.

Various policy announcements are expected to shed light on Beijing's stimulus and reform plans.

WEDNESDAY, March 12

India will report inflation and industrial production data, with consensus estimates pointing to easing consumer price growth and strengthening industrial output.

Bank of America economist Rahul Bajoria predicts headline inflation will moderate from 4.3% to 4.0%, marking the slowest price growth in six months.

Given recent data showing a slowdown in growth and easing inflation, ANZ's Dhiraj Nim and Sanjay Mathur see a "case for a stronger policy response" by the Reserve Bank of India. The economists expect the RBI to deliver at least two more rate cuts by June.

Japan's producer prices and Indonesia's retail sales figures will also be released midweek, alongside Malaysia's industrial production and retail sales numbers.

THURSDAY, March 13

South Korea's joblessness data will be published on Thursday, and conflicting forecasts surround it.

Morgan Stanley predicts a rise in unemployment to 3.1% in February from 2.9% in January, while ING expects a decline due to government job programs despite weak private sector hiring.

Hong Kong's fourth-quarter industrial output will also be out Thursday.

FRIDAY, March 14

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation, known as Rengo, will disclose the preliminary results of Shunto wage negotiations.

Japan's largest trade union group is seeking an average wage increase of 6.09%, the most significant request in 30 years.

These negotiations are crucial for economists and investors as they provide insights into potential future interest rate adjustments by the Bank of Japan.

The week's economic data releases conclude with India's February trade figures and South Korea's export prices.