Dollar hits 160 yen line, 1st time since late April, on Mideast concerns

TOKYO - The U.S. dollar briefly topped the 160-yen line in Tokyo on Wednesday amid Middle East uncertainty, hitting the important psychological threshold for the first time since late April, before Japanese authorities began currency intervention.

At 9 a.m., the U.S. dollar fetched 159.98-99 yen compared with 159.89-99 yen in New York and 159.68-69 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.