Investing.com - The dollar was trading at six-month highs against the weaker yen on Thursday as trading conditions remained thin with markets in the U.S. to remain closed for the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
During European morning trade, USD/JPY edged up 0.02% to 102.16, the highest level since May 29.
The yen came remained broadly lower amid expectations that the Bank of Japan will expand its monetary stimulus program in the coming months in order to meet its target of 2% inflation by 2015.
On Wednesday, BoJ board member Sayuri Shirai raised doubts over whether the inflation target can be met because of downside risks to growth, adding that the bank was open to taking further steps if growth slows.
Demand for the dollar continued to be underpinned by expectations that the Federal Reserve will start to roll back its stimulus program at one of its next few meetings.
Elsewhere, EUR/USD was up 0.19% to 1.3603, the highest level since October 31.
The euro shrugged off data showing that the number of unemployed people in Germany rose by 10,000 in November, compared to expectations for an increase of 1,000. The country's unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.9%.
The pound was also higher against the dollar, with GBP/USD rising 0.12% to 1.6305. The Bank of England was to publish its latest financial stability report later in the session and Governor Mark Carney was to hold a press conference.
The dollar was lower against the Swiss franc, with USD/CHF down 0.26% to 0.9051.
Data released on Thursday showed that Switzerland's gross domestic product expanded by 0.5% in the third quarter and 1.9% year-over-year. Economists had expected quarterly growth of 0.4% and annual growth of 1.7%.
The greenback was broadly lower against the Australian, New Zealand and Canadian dollars, with AUD/USD rising 0.57% to 0.9132, NZD/USD edging up 0.07% to 0.8153 and USD/CAD sliding 0.14% to 1.0578.
Australia's dollar strengthened after data showed that total capital expenditure rose for the second straight quarter in the three months to September, with manufacturing up for the first time in eight quarters.
Elsewhere, data showed that the ANZ business confidence index for New Zealand rose to an almost 15 year high of 60.5 in November from 53.2 points in October, driven by retail and expectations of greater profitability.
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback versus a basket of six other major currencies, was down 0.15% to 80.60.
