By MarketWatch TOKYO (MarketWatch) -- The yen edged higher against its U.S. counterpart in early Asian trading Tuesday, shrugging off worse-than-expected Japanese economic data. Against the Japanese yen, the U.S. dollar (CUR_USDYEN) bought ¥89.29, slightly down from ¥89.39 in late North American trading Monday. However, the euro (CUR_EURUSD 1.2255, -0.0019, -0.1548%) changed hands at $1.2286, slipping from $1.2292 late Monday. Japan's unemployment rate rose in May to a seasonally adjusted 5.2%, according to government data released Tuesday, marking an increase from 5.1% in April and confounding expectations for a drop in the jobless rate. Industrial production fell by 0.1% in May from April, according to a separately released report. See full story on Japan economic data. The data will add to pressure on the Bank of Japan "to keep policy accommodative," wrote Mitul Kotecha, head of global foreign-exchange strategy at Credit Agricole, in a note to clients. "Moreover, as wanted by Prime Minister [Naoto] Kan, measures to combat deflation and weaken the JPY [Japanese yen] will likely remain in focus." In other major currency moves, the British pound (CUR_GBPUSD 1.5086, -0.0010, -0.0662%) bought $1.5114, up from $1.5107 in late Monday trading. The dollar index (DXY 85.74, +0.09, +0.11%) , which tracks the U.S. unit against six major counterparts, was at 85.631, slightly higher than its 85.620 level late Monday. The dollar had risen against major rivals Monday, with gains seen especially against the euro, after a pledge by leaders of the Group of 20 major economies to cut deficits fueled growth uncertainty. See full story on G-20 leaders' statement.

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