The Japanese yen strengthened toward 155 per dollar on Thursday, trading near its highest level in more than two weeks amid growing speculation that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates this month. Expectations firmed after BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda voiced confidence in Japan’s economic outlook and said the central bank would carefully weigh the pros and cons of a rate hike and act as appropriate. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama also said this week that there is no divergence between the government and the BOJ in their economic assessments, signaling continued alignment between fiscal and monetary policy. Externally, the yen gained support from a softer dollar after weaker-than-expected US private payrolls data strengthened bets for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. Markets are also assessing the possibility that White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett could replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell in May, a move that could favor more aggressive easing.