TOKYO: The dollar edged up against the yen in Asia on Friday after plunging on weak Chinese data which sparked worries over emerging markets.

In Tokyo afternoon trade, the dollar fetched 103.44 yen, up from 103.34 yen in New York Thursday afternoon but still nearly one yen lower than levels in Tokyo on Thursday.

The euro, which climbed Thursday on upbeat eurozone data, bought $1.3684 from $1.3692 in US trade Thursday while it was unchanged at 141.59 yen.

"Risk assets suffered as a much bigger than expected fall in Chinese manufacturing (activity) dented global sentiment," Credit Agricole said.

Traders moved into the safe-haven yen Thursday as US shares sank on the weak China report and lacklustre corporate earnings, while they look ahead to a Federal Reserve policy meeting next week.

"The poor China data merely exacerbates the worries about emerging markets, and is pushing an acceleration in the investor pullout from these economies, which is not limited to China," said Norihiro Fujito, senior investment strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.

The data from China -- a key driver of global growth -- fuelled concerns about emerging markets at a time when the Fed is winding down its stimulus programme, leading foreigners to repatriate their investments to the West.

SOURCE: AFP