The US dollar made a late rebound against the yen in afternoon trading here as concern about the future of Bank of Japan governor Toshihiko Fukui continued to weigh on the Japanese unit. The dollar was slightly firmer against the euro, with neither currency seeing much impetus to break out of recent ranges, dealers said. At 4.00 pm (0800 GMT) here, the dollar was at 115.19 yen, up from 114.81 yen in Tokyo exactly 4-1/2 hours earlier. The euro was at 1.2638 usd, down from 1.2667 usd. Dealers said there is concern about the future of Fukui because of his investment in the Murakami fund, the founder of which was arrested this month for alleged insider trading. Fukui has been under fire for keeping his 10 mln-yen investment in the private fund even after he assumed the post of governor of the central bank in 2003. UBS AG said in a note to clients: "The whole issue of Bank of Japan credibility and independence cuts both ways, however, as Fukui may deliberately act on the slightly more hawkish side simply to reassert Bank of Japan independence should he retain his role as governor." Dealers said comments overnight by European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet, which were perceived as slightly hawkish, kept the euro supported against the dollar, while the yen was spared a deeper retreat by hopes of an early end to the Bank of Japan's zero-interest policy.