The core inflation figure was higher than expectations of 3.4%. Headline inflation climbed 3.6% from a year ago. Japan's core inflation accelerated to 3.5% in April, government data showed Friday, bolstered in part by surging rice prices,

Japan’s core inflation rate climbed at its fastest rate in more than two years in April, piling pressure on the Bank of Japan as it seeks to normalise the country’s interest rates and the unpopular government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japan's core consumer inflation hit 3.5% in April to advance at its fastest annual pace in more than two years, data showed on Friday, maintaining pressure on the central bank to continue raising interest rates.