1.   Also helping the yen were surging Japanese bond yields to almost six-month highs amid speculation the Bank of Japan may raise the discount rate sooner than expected.

2.   A climb in interest rates would help the yen by making yen-denominated deposits more attractive to investors.

3.   A higher rate would help the yen by making bank deposits and bonds denominated in it more attractive.

4.   A Japanese rate increase would help the yen by making stocks and bonds denominated in it more attractive to investors.

5.   A credible plan could help the yen by restoring confidence in Japanese financial assets.

6.   A growing trade surplus helps the yen by putting more foreign currency into the hands of Japanese exporters, who sell the currency for yen when repatriating revenue.

7.   A Japanese surplus often helps the yen because it means Japanese exporters have a wealth of dollars and other currencies to sell for yen to bring profits home.

8.   A growing trade surplus helps the yen by putting more foreign currency into the hands of Japanese exporters who sell the currency for yen when repatriating revenue.

9.   A rate increase would help the yen by making bank deposits and bonds denominated in it more appealing to investors.

10.   A smaller interest rate differential should help the yen by increasing the allure of yen-denominated assets.