USD rises against yen, adds strain on Bank of Japan

The Bank of Japan has kept an ultra-low interest rate policy, while the Federal Reserve and other central banks have been raising rates to counter surging prices. Until recently, the Japanese central bank had devoted its efforts to fending off deflation, or the continued downward spiraling of prices.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar rose to 150.25 Japanese yen from 150.09 yen, adding to pressure on the Bank of Japan to tweak its monetary policy since a weaker yen amplified rising prices due to the higher costs for imports. Japan's Finance Minister said Friday they are "confronting speculators" after the yen weakened further.