TOKYO - The U.S. dollar traded in the lower 163 yen range in Tokyo early Wednesday, rising to that level for the first time since December 1986, as dollar-buying on a flight to safety was driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East.
At 9 a.m., the dollar fetched 163.18-20 yen compared with 163.13-23 yen in New York and 162.59-60 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The euro was quoted at $1.1400-1403 and 186.07-08 yen against $1.1392-1402 and 186.03-13 yen in New York and $1.1422-1424 and 185.72-76 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday afternoon.
In the first 15 minutes of trading in Tokyo, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average rose 1,091.27 points, or 1.65 percent, from Tuesday to 67,323.46. The broader Topix index was up 34.91 points, or 0.87 percent, at 4,049.86.
On the top-tier Prime Market, the main gainers were nonferrous metal, electric appliance, and glass and ceramic product issues.
