Japan's headline inflation rate slipped to 2.3% in October, its lowest level since January and down from the 2.5% seen in September. The core inflation rate fell to 2.3% from 2.4%, slightly higher compared to the 2.

Japan's core inflation in October held above the central bank's 2% target and a key index stripping away the effect of fuel accelerated, data showed on Friday, keeping pressure on the central bank to raise its still-low interest rates.

Japan’s overall consumer inflation continued to slow in October, but a rise in underlying price pressures could further clear the path for the central bank to hike rates in December.