Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications released its inflation data on late Thursday evening. Japan's national consumer price index (CPI) rose to an annual rate of 0.3% in October from 0.0% in September. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 0.0%.
Japan's national CPI excluding fresh food remained unchanged at an annual rate of -0.1% in October, in line with expectations.
The decline was mainly driven by low energy prices.
Household spending in Japan fell 2.4% year-on-year in October, after a 0.4% decline in September, missing expectations of a 0.1% gain.
The unemployment rate dropped to 3.1% in October from 3.4% in September. Analysts had expected the index to remain unchanged at 3.4%.
The Bank of Japan released its own inflation figures. Japan's core national CPI climbed an annual rate of 1.2% in October. The central bank's calculation does not include fresh food products and energy, but it includes prices for imported food products.