Japanese yen hits near 4-month low of 151 per dollar

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -- The yen languished near a four-month low against the U.S. dollar and a 16-year trough against the euro on Wednesday, a day after the Bank of Japan's widely anticipated decision to end its negative interest rate policy.

While the Bank of Japan ushered in the country's first rate hike in 17 years, the central bank said it expected to maintain accommodative conditions for the time being, keeping pressure on the yen as U.S.-Japanese rate differentials remain stark.

On Wednesday, the yen weakened to a four-month low of 151.34 per dollar and was last off 0.30% at 151.28, with the multi-decade low of 151.94 within sight. The Asian currency fell 1% on Tuesday after the BOJ decision as most investors had already priced in a change.

Against the euro, yen weakened to 164.35, its lowest since 2008, while against the pound, yen weakened to 192.37, lowest since 2015. Japan markets are closed on Wednesday for a holiday.

"I think the focus is again around 152 levels," said Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC. Wong said the move for dollar/yen in the near term will be more a function of U.S. rates, with the Federal Reserve decision due later on Wednesday.

In a historic shift from decades of massive monetary stimulus, the Japanese central bank on Tuesday ended eight years of negative interest rates and other remnants of unorthodox economic policy.

Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com said BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda's dovish comments after the meeting were enough to end any post-decision bullish sentiment in the Japanese currency.

"The carry trade versus the major currencies continues to be in play and is expected to continue for a while," Hathorn said. "This means the yen is likely to see further