TOKYO The dollar rose against the yen in Tokyo Wednesday following comments by Japanese Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa that he wanted to see the U.S. unit strengthen, dealers said.

The greenback traded at 120.50-53 yen around 5:00 p.m. (0800 GMT), up from 120.25 yen in New York and 119.48-51 yen in Tokyo late Tuesday, AFP reported.

"Investors bought the dollar on Shiokawa's comment," said Fuji Bank dealer Hideyuki Tsukamoto.

Shiokawa said Wednesday he would like to see the U.S. unit strengthen to 121 yen.