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Meanwhile, the Japanese defence ministry said that the type of missile that may have been launched did not pose an immediate threat to Japan's security. The yen traded within tight ranges during the week as Japan was closed from Tuesday to Thursday for Golden Week holidays.
Range for this week: Y103.50-Y106.50
Sterling
Sterling tumbled against the dollar and the euro after data showed weakness in the British economy.
British manufacturing activity contracted for the first time in almost two years in April, according to purchasing managers' data, hitting 49.5 from 51.5 in March.
Moreover, British retail sales fell unexpectedly in April at their sharpest pace in nearly 13 years, according to the Confederation of British Industry's monthly distributive trades survey, which registered a balance of -14, down from -9 in March.
However, the pound hardly moved after the British Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply said its construction purchasing managers' index edged up to 54.8 in April from 54.7 in March.
As the week progressed, the sterling's losses were accelerated as British election results showed Prime Minister Tony Blair had returned to power but with a greatly reduced majority. Blair was heading for a majority of 70 seats or less in the 646 seat House of Commons, sharply down from 161 last time.
Data showing a slowing British property market also weighed on the pound, reinforcing expectations the Bank of England will leave interest rates on hold at 4.75 % next week, and may even cut rates before the end of the year.
Week ahead, the Bank of England's interest rates decision and its quarterly inflation report will be closely watched.
Range for this week: $1.8750-$1.9050
HSBC
