TOKYO: The dollar slipped in Asia Thursday following poor US economic data, while dealers await a Bank of Japan meeting to see if it will add to this month's huge stimulus measures aimed at boosting the economy.
The dollar fetched 99.30 yen in afternoon Tokyo trade, slightly down from 99.51 yen in New York on Wednesday.
The euro gained to $1.3043 from $1.3013 and to 129.55 yen from 129.50 yen.
US durable goods orders plunged 5.7 percent from February, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday, adding to recent results pointing to weakness in the world's largest economy.
Trading was also guided by a poor German confidence survey that had some betting on further easing by the European Central Bank.
The dollar's climb this week towards 100 yen has stalled, but dealers expect more yen weakening after the G20 backed Japan's monetary easing policy, said Yoshio Takahashi, currency analyst at Barclays, in a note to clients.
After a meeting in Washington last week, the G20 finance chiefs gave a cautious endorsement of Tokyo's stimulus programme, agreeing it was necessary to boost the country's stagnant economy.
The Bank of Japan on Friday holds its first policy meeting since this month's huge policy measures were unveiled aimed at juicing the economy and dragging the country out of years of deflation.
However, London-based Capital Economics said it was unlikely Friday would see any major decisions.
"Monetary policy itself was overhauled at the first April meeting and it is unlikely that any additional measures will be announced this week," it said in a note.
The dollar was mostly lower against other Asia-Pacific currencies.
It eased to 54.15 Indian rupees from 54.38 rupees on Wednesday, to Sg$1.2390 from Sg$1.2410, to 9,714 Indonesian rupiah from 9,720 rupiah and to 41.30 Philippine pesos from 41.33 pesos.
The greenback also slipped to Tw$29.69 from Tw$29.78 and to 1,118.74 South Korean won from 1,120.30 won while firming to 28.93 Thai baht from 28.86.
The Australian dollar sank to $1.2030 from $1.0249 and the Chinese yuan fetched 16.05 yen against 16.07 yen.
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