Japan's core consumer inflation hit 3.2% in January for its fastest pace in 19 months, data showed on Friday, reinforcing expectations that the central bank will keep raising interest rates from levels still seen as low.

Core inflation — which excludes prices of fresh food — rose to 3.2% from 3% in the prior month and beat economists' expectations of 3.1%, according to a Reuters poll.

Overall inflation accelerated to 4% from 3.6%, according to the internal affairs ministry, hitting that mark for the first time in two years.