The yen has taken a further step toward the closely watched ?150 per dollar level, keeping investors on high alert for possible intervention to support the currency.

Japan¡¯s currency fluctuated around ?149 per dollar in Tokyo on Tuesday as the country¡¯s prime minister and central bank chief insisted they would stick with their current policy mix, amid criticism that it is contributing to the yen¡¯s slide.

The currency had slipped again Monday even as the greenback lost ground against all other Group of 10 peers. It¡¯s now at a level last seen 32 years ago, amid rapid-fire warnings from authorities trying to dissuade traders from testing their intervention strategy.