Dollar Gains in Europe, Japan

LONDON — The U.S. dollar strengthened against the major currencies in quiet European trading today.

The rise followed Japanese press reports that U.S. and Japanese authorities were preparing to support the American currency after recent sessions when the dollar hit its lowest levels for several years. Earlier, the dollar closed in Tokyo at 153.25 Japanese yen, up from 152.40 on Thursday and from 153.10 last Friday. Later in London, the dollar exchanged at 152.80 yen. The British pound lost more than one cent against the dollar in London, trading at $1.5230 late today.