Japan’s Sticky Inflation Likely Justifies BOJ Rate Hike

TOKYO—Japan’s consumer inflation remained well above the central bank’s 2% target in November, providing further justification for a widely anticipated interest-rate hike later on Friday.

Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 3.0% in November from a year earlier, maintaining the pace recorded in October, according to government data released on Friday. That matched the forecast compiled by data provider Quick.