TOKYO. Dec 11: The US dollar was trading lower against the Japanese yen in early trading In Tokyo Monday while prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell moderately, reports AP.

The dollar drifted lower following its slide In Friday s overseas trading on expectations of a US Interest rate cut in the next few months

US non-farm payroll data released Friday showed unemployment edging up 0.1 percentage point to 5.6 per cent in November The numbers were within expectations. but the market interpreted them as the latest sign of a sluggish economy that could provide room for the federal Reserve Board to lower Interest rates.

Lower Interest rates tend to make a nation's currency less attractive to investors.

In early morning, the dollar was traded In Tokyo at 101.20 yen. down 0.15 yen from late Friday and also lower than its late Friday New York trading at 101.30 yen.

Meanwhile, share prices moved lower in light trading.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average shed 91.08 points, or 0.47 per cent, to 19.195.89 points in the first 30 minutes of trading. On Friday, the average shed 125.35 points, or 0.65 per cent, closing at 19.286.97.

The Tokyo Stock average was down 2.71 points, or 0.18 per cent, to 1.524.63 points. The TOPIX finished at 1.527.34 points on Friday, down 9.57 points or 0.62 per cent.

The benchmark No. 174 10-year Japanese government bonds stood at 114.21 yen. unchanged from Friday's close.