TOKYO (AFX-ASIA) - The dollar was easier midmorning but within ranges on pressure from Japanese exporters and short-term traders as nervousness over possible intervention supported the downside at low-117 yen levels, dealers said. The dollar is trading within its 116-118.50 yen range, while the euro is in a range of 90-93 cents, they said. Standard & Poor's MMS managing analyst Hideki Naito said the market is "very quiet" with dollar-selling offers by Japanese exporters and investors, as well as short-term traders, keeping the currency under pressure. "They are selling near 117.50 yen and buying back at low 117," he said. While the US consumer confidence numbers were worse than consensus, the dollar failed to react sharply due to distortions within the figures, which were collected over the period of the terrorist attacks on the US. Consumers contacted in the immediate aftermath of the attacks may have "lost confidence excessively" due to the emotional impact, Naito said. "If those numbers continue (to be bad) we may have to be concerned," he added. Japanese data this week is likely to confirm the deterioration in the domestic economy, with the possibility that the unemployment rate will rise to 5.1 pct, Naito said. However, he noted that investors are focused on the US economy and financial markets, as well as expected military action by President George W Bush. "The Japanese fundamentals, everyone knows, are not good," he said. Meanwhile, the balance of current accounts held at the Bank of Japan rose to around 11 trln yen at the end of Tuesday, from around 8 trln after the injection of additional funds following the terrorist attacks. Today's settlement of intervention funds on Monday should further boost the current account balance, Naito said, adding that the rise may suggest the level of recent intervention, although the relationship is not direct.