November inflation numbers from Japan's capital of Tokyo showed headline inflation rate at 3%, compared to 2.6% in October. Core inflation, which excludes costs of fresh food, rose to 2.4% missing Reuters' expectations of a 2.

Asia-Pacific markets are set to open higher, as some markets return from the Boxing Day holiday and investors eye a slew of economic data in the region.

Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed on Friday as some markets return from the Boxing Day holiday and investors assessed economic data from the region.

The Tokyo core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food costs, rose 2.4% in December from a year earlier.

Inflation in Tokyo surged in December, climbing to 2.4 percent as price pressures widened. With the Bank of Japans January policy meeting looming, markets are speculating on whether a further rate hike is on the