HONG KONG Apr 3: Most regional currencies strengthened against the dollar . following declines in the US stock market and US rejection of Japan s new market opening measures ill a week shortened by holidays, reports AFP.

JAPANESE TEN: The yen strengthened in Tokyo as play ers sold the dollar following declines in US stock and bond prices while the Bank of Japan stepped in Intermittently It closed the week at 103.00 to the dollar, up 2.17 from a week earlier.

The Japanese unit opened the week 0.24 higher at 104 93 to the dollar and never looked back for the rest of the week It steadily gained ground to touch the week's high of 102.52 on Wednesday as Japan's new package of market-opening measures seemed unlikely to appesse the United States.

After holding firm against the dollar through mid week the yen eased at week's end as the dollar was bougM for

short-covering.

AUSTRALIA DOLLAR: The Australian dollar closed the week Hiursday almost one US cent down due to market jitters over weak overseas bond markets and the repatriation of Japanese funds, dealers said.

The domestic currency closed at 70.07 US cents, down from last week's finish of 70.96 US cents.

International foreign exchange dealer Ian Battye said a major influence is still the offshore bond markets and how they have fed through to the currency ”

Equities had also slumped during the week, he added, with Australian shares losing ground tn line with heavy losses on New York's Wall Street.

Japanese funds added pres sure Dy selling Australian do) lars to repatriate yen to Tokyo Battye said

INDONESIAN RUPIAH: Indonesian currency opened the week at 2.142 rupiah, one rupiah lower than the closing

In the previous week. It closed the week Wednesday at 2.143 rupiah. The bank was closed Thursday on the end of the 1993/94 fiscal year and Friday for a public holiday.

MALAYSIAN RINGGIT: The ringgit rose 360 points to close the week against the US dollar at 2.6740.

The ringgit also finished higher against the sterling at 3 9655 from 4 0528 previously

NEW ZEALAND DOLLAR: The New Zealand dollar ended a holiday shortened week Thurs day worth 56.22 US cents, down from last week a close

With the end of the tax year Thursday, combined with the Easter Holiday break and climbing interest rates, trading was both light and Confused

PHILIPPINE PESO: The peso closed at 27.565 to the dollar Wednesday, unchanged from the previous week's close The Manila markets

were closed Thursday and Friday

SINGAPORE DOLLAR: The Singapore dollar strengthened sharply against the US dollar to finish the week at 1.5685 compared to 1.5805 the previous week on good commercial demand as the US unit came under pressure, dealers said

SOUTH KOREAN WON: The won strengthened against* the Greenback from 809.00 a week ago to 807.20 won.

TAIWAN DOLLAR: The Taiwan currency advanced to close at 26.365 to the US dollar In heavy trading up 4 8 Taiwan ■ cents fr6m the previous week's finish . of 26 413.

THAI BAHT: The official mid-rate was quoted at week’s end at 25.22 baht for one US dollar, compared with the previous week’s close of 25.28 baht to the dollar

The Greenback fell further against the baht because ot trade problems between the United States and Japan, an analyst said.