The U.S. dollar was firm at a two-month high close to the 160 yen line early Monday in Tokyo as indicators point to the interest rate differential between Japan and the United States remaining wide.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 159.90-91 yen compared with 159.81-91 yen in New York and 158.76-79 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Friday.
The euro was quoted at $1.0686-0690 and 170.87-94 yen against $1.0689-0699 and 170.84-94 yen in New York and $1.0678-0680 and 169.54-58 yen in Tokyo late Friday afternoon.
Stocks opened mixed, as technology issues tracked falls late last week in their U.S. counterparts, while the yen's weakness against the dollar supported buying of export-oriented issues.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 25.14 points, or 0.07 percent, from Friday to 38,571.33. The broader Topix index was up 7.28 points, or 0.27 percent, at 2,731.97.
On the top-tier Prime Market, decliners were led by insurance and rubber product issues, while transportation equipment and marine transportation issues led gainers.
