By Tom Westbrook

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Asia’s stock markets struck a cautious tone on Monday as traders looked ahead to a week of corporate earnings and catch-up U.S. data, with the focus on the interest rate outlook and the fate of a frothy rally in artificial intelligence stocks.

Hesitant-sounding policymakers have driven market expectations for a U.S. rate cut in December back from more than 60% a week ago to 40% on Monday and put pressure on stocks.

S&P 500 futures were 0.3% higher in early trade.

Japan’s Nikkei was flat, but tourism and some retail stocks fell heavily after China cautioned citizens against visiting Japan as a diplomatic dispute deepens. Shares in department store operator Isetan Mitsukoshi and cosmetics-maker Shiseido notched drops of around 10%.

In Australia, a 0

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