TOKYO: The dollar was firmer against other major currencies in Asian trade on Friday as investors looked to a Bank of Japan policy meeting amid speculation of further monetary easing.
The dollar firmed to 81.18 yen from 80.96 in New York late Friday.
Against the euro, the greenback was changing hands at $1.3205, up from $1.3240.
The euro firmed to 107.23 yen from 107.18 yen.
Many expect the central bank will announce later Friday further monetary easing measures, which could weaken the yen.
A positive outcome from the BoJ board meeting could include a 10 trillion yen expansion of its asset purchase programme, and the extension of government-bond purchases to bonds with longer maturities, among other measures, Masafumi Yamamoto, chief currency strategist at Barclays Capital in Tokyo said.
If all these measures are announced, the dollar could climb above 82 yen, but the pair's upside could be limited if only some are announced, he told Dow Jones Newswires.
Earlier reports have said the BoJ will forecast on Friday that prices are set to rise less than one percent next year, boosting the chances of fresh easing measures to stimulate the economy. (AFP)
The dollar firmed to 81.18 yen from 80.96 in New York late Friday.
Against the euro, the greenback was changing hands at $1.3205, up from $1.3240.
The euro firmed to 107.23 yen from 107.18 yen.
Many expect the central bank will announce later Friday further monetary easing measures, which could weaken the yen.
A positive outcome from the BoJ board meeting could include a 10 trillion yen expansion of its asset purchase programme, and the extension of government-bond purchases to bonds with longer maturities, among other measures, Masafumi Yamamoto, chief currency strategist at Barclays Capital in Tokyo said.
If all these measures are announced, the dollar could climb above 82 yen, but the pair's upside could be limited if only some are announced, he told Dow Jones Newswires.
Earlier reports have said the BoJ will forecast on Friday that prices are set to rise less than one percent next year, boosting the chances of fresh easing measures to stimulate the economy. (AFP)
