Euro marks fresh eight-month high against the yen around 112.92 but having trouble clearing option-related offers at 113.00.
-- Analysts say break of 112.60 barrier opens way to 113.30 high from April 9 and then major year peak at 113.71.
-- Euro also higher on the dollar at $0.8970 after break of major downtrend line at $0.8940/50 tripped stop-loss buying up to $0.8973. Next resistance at $0.8983 with key level around $0.9015.
-- Sterling follows with push above $1.4400 for first time in almost a month, while the dollar slips back below 1.6500 Swiss francs in what looks to be general short-covering.
-- Dollar subdued on the yen at 125.81 yen with market exhausted for the moment after its recent rally.
-- Sentiment remains yen bearish given dire Japanese fundamentals and official acceptance of a weaker currency.