Asian equities advanced on Monday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell used his Jackson Hole address to suggest the U.S. central bank could lower interest rates as soon as September, even before inflation returns to target. Interest-rate swaps now imply an 84%–85% chance of a quarter-point cut next month. Japan led the region’s gains. The Nikkei 225 climbed about 0.8% to 42,922.33 at midday, after briefly adding more than 500 yen and reclaiming the 43,000 level; the broader Topix added 0.5% to 3,116. Australia’s ASX 200 and South Korea’s KOSPI each rose roughly 0.8%, while MSCI’s Asia-Pacific ex-Japan gauge gained 1.1% and China’s CSI 300 strengthened around 1%. Technology shares were the chief drivers amid hopes lower borrowing costs will sustain earnings momentum. The rate-cut speculation kept U.S. Treasury yields subdued and buoyed risk appetite, though a firmer dollar trimmed earlier strength in haven assets. Spot gold hovered near $3,350 an ounce, off Friday’s $3,370 peak. Investors are now watching U.S. inflation data later in the week and remarks from New York Fed President John Williams for further policy clues.