Summary The euro held steady at $1.3494 from $1.3493 and 135.17 yen against 135.16 yen.
TOKYO (AFP) - The dollar firmed against the yen in Asia on Monday with appetite for risk remaining buoyant after dovish comments from the Fed chief nominee, despite tepid US economic data.
The greenback bought 100.16 yen in Tokyo midday trade, against 100.12 yen in New York Friday afternoon.
The euro held steady at $1.3494 from $1.3493 and 135.17 yen against 135.16 yen.
"Triggered by sentiment for risk, the dollar will likely continue to gradually strengthen in the near term," said Mitsushige Akino, fund manager at Ichiyoshi Asset Management.
The dollar's rise came although lacklustre data pointed to sluggish growth in the world's biggest economy.
The New York Fed's Empire State Manufacturing business conditions index unexpectedly fell in November while, in October, US industrial production dipped and import prices fell.
The data came a day after Janet Yellen, the Fed vice chair, told a Senate panel confirmation hearing that she would not consider ending the central bank's $85 billion a month asset-purchase programme as long as growth remained soft and unemployment high.
Dealers were meanwhile keeping an eye on eurozone current account data due later Monday.
