The yen traded near a new 32-year low in the lower 149 range against the U.S. dollar early Wednesday in Tokyo on persistent expectations of monetary tightening in the United States following stronger-than-expected industrial output data.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 149.20-21 yen compared with 149.18-28 yen in New York and 148.95-97 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $0.9861-9865 and 147.13-20 yen against $0.9856-9866 and 147.05-15 yen in New York and $0.9857-9859 and 146.82-86 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
Tokyo stocks opened slightly higher, supported by overnight gains on Wall Street.
In the first 15 minutes of trading, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 39.84 points, or 0.15 percent, from Tuesday to 27,195.98. The broader Topix index was up 0.88 point, or 0.05 percent, at 1,902.32.
On the top-tier Prime Market, gainers were led by electric power and gas, rubber product and machinery issues.
