Dollar firms in Asia on upbeat manufacturing data

TOKYO: The dollar firmed against the yen and euro in Asia Wednesday, boosted by solid US economic data and a bleak outlook for the troubled eurozone as the Bank of Japan starts a two-day policy meeting.

In Tokyo afternoon trade the dollar bought 93.55 yen, up from 93.39 yen in New York on Tuesday.

The euro rose to 119.76 yen from 119.70 yen while it weakened to $1.2803 from $1.2813.

Supporting the dollar was a US Commerce Department report that showed new orders for manufactured goods rose 3.0 percent in February, topping expectations.

By contrast, a weak eurozone manufacturing report showed further contraction in the sector, adding to concerns about the bloc amid fears about bailed-out Cyprus and a political impasse in Italy.

The 17-nation eurozone's unemployment hit a record 12 percent in February, official data showed Tuesday, with more than 19 million people on the dole.