The Japanese yen reached an eight-week peak against the dollar on Thursday following support from a Bank of Japan (BOJ) policy board member for ongoing interest rate increases. The yen rose to 151.81 per dollar, its highest level since December 12, in Tokyo morning trading after BOJ's Naoki Tamura stated the central bank should increase rates to around 1 per cent by the second half of fiscal 2025, with inflation risks on the rise. Japan's currency was last traded at 151.335 per dollar, marking a 0.82 per cent increase from the previous day. This gain was slightly reduced after Tamura clarified that he did not suggest the neutral rate should be 1 per cent. Attribution: Reuters Subediting: M. S. Salama