Dollar Strengthens Against Yen

The dollar rose Thursday after an influential Japanese finance official said he doesn’t believe Japan’s strengthening economy justifies a rise in interest rates and a higher yen.

The dollar also got help from remarks by Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, who repeated his position that the U.S. wants a strong dollar.

Eisuke Sakakibara, director general of the International Finance Bureau of Japan’s Finance Ministry gave the dollar a boost by saying recent evidence of a Japanese economic rebound doesn’t mean Japan should change monetary policy.

Exchange Currency in Dollars Dollar in foreign currency

Canada .7319 1.3663

France .1936 5.1645

Germany .6562 1.5240

Great Britain 1.5380 .6502

Italy .000653 1532.50

Japan .009242 108.20

Mexico .132450 7.5500