1.   An increase of that size could boost the yen, because it means Japanese exporters have more foreign currency to convert into yen when bringing revenue home from abroad.

2.   A better-than-expected result could boost the yen by fueling speculation the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates, traders said.

3.   A higher rate probably would boost the yen by making assets denominated in yen more attractive to investors, analysts said.

4.   A recovery of Japanese stocks also helped boost yen.

5.   But the dollar lost some ground amid speculation the Bank of Japan was selling U.S. Treasury securities in an effort to boost the yen.

6.   Chances are slim that the finance officials of the seven major industrial nations will issue any statements intended to boost the yen, analysts said.

7.   Finance Minister Hiroshi Mitsuzuka and other ministry officials have suggested Japan could move to sell dollars for yen at any time to boost the yen.

8.   Growing foreign demand for Japanese assets and the yen to pay for them boosts the yen against other currencies.

9.   Higher interest rates make yen-denominated bank deposits more attractive and boost the yen.

10.   Higher Japanese interest rates often boost the yen as they increase returns on yen-denominated assets such as bank deposits, prompting foreign investors to buy yen.