February 22, 2007	Thursday	Safar 4, 1428

LONDON, Feb 21: The euro struck its highest ever level against the Japanese currency on Wednesday after the Bank of Japan raised its ultra-low interest rates for only the second time in six years.

The euro reached 159.03 yen at one point but fell back slightly to 158.76 in late European trade, from 157.63 yen late in New York on Tuesday. The euro was at 1.3124 dollars from 1.3137 dollars on Tuesday.

The dollar meanwhile stood at 120.97 yen, from 119.98 yen.—AFP