The yen gained on Tuesday as investors, fearing tougher credit conditions will crimp global economic growth, bought the lower-yielding Japanese currency and sold riskier assets.
The dollar rose against the euro, but fell against the yen Monday, as investors attempted to minimize exposure to risky assets amid lingering fears of a global credit crisis.
The dollar fell against most major currencies Friday, despite strong U.S. economic data, as calmer credit markets sparked renewed interest in riskier overseas assets.
A surge in investors' appetite for higher-yielding currencies and assets pushed the yen towards its biggest daily and weekly losses against several currencies for years on Thursday.