Yen ticks up in Asia on global economy jitters

TOKYO, Oct 17 (AFP) :  The yen edged higher in Asia on Friday as ongoing worries about the global economy offset a positive batch of data out of the United States.

In Tokyo afternoon trading, the dollar slipped to 106.16 yen from 106.33 yen in New York while the euro eased to 135.92 yen from 136.19 yen.

The single currency also eased to $1.2802 from $1.2809.

After equity markets were hammered this week by growing fears over the global economy, the US Department of Labor offered a ray of hope on Thursday as it reported that jobless claims for the week ending October 11 fell to their lowest level since 2000.