U.S. dollar mark in Tokyo's foreign exchange market on Thursday, reaching its highest level since early December before slightly retreating during Friday's midday trading. The yen's recent rebound is largely attributed to growing expectations that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) may raise interest rates further.

Even as swathes of tourists pour into Japan in record numbers, the country’s citizens are showing less enthusiasm to venture abroad with only one in six Japanese now owning a passport, according to data released by Japan’s foreign ministry on Thursday.