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Tokyo - The dollar edged lower on Friday as traders focus on US jobs data later in the day that will help the Federal Reserve decide on when to lift interest rates.
Expectations are high for a June or July hike after the central bank's chair Janet Yellen last Friday said such a move could be justified "in the coming months", citing growth in the world's top economy and a strengthening labour market.
Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News forecast the report will show employers added 160 000 jobs in May, the same as in April, with the unemployment rate slipping to 4.9%.
"If tonight's figures are in line (with forecasts), that will connect with the market's expectations for higher US interest rates," said Makoto Sengoku, a market analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Centre.
In Tokyo afternoon trading, the dollar bought ¥108.66, slipping from ¥108.88 in New York and ¥109.06 in Tokyo earlier on Thursday.
The euro was up slightly at $1.1158 against $1.1154, while it edged down to ¥121.24 from ¥121.44.
On Thursday, the European Central Bank, as expected, left its ultra-loose monetary policy unchanged but upgraded slightly inflation and economic growth forecasts for the eurozone this year.
The British pound bought $1.4419, little changed from $1.4424 in US trading.
The unit has been under pressure as Britain's June 23 referendum on whether to stay in or leave the European Union approaches.
A new poll this week showed a majority of voters favouring an exit from the bloc.
There are widespread concerns that such a move would spur significant market turmoil and slow or stall the British economy.
