Yen faces new pressure as markets see chances for US rate hike

More traders expect Fed to end monetary easing over inflation worries

The possibility of a widening interest rate gap between Japan and the U.S. is driving the yen to weaken against the dollar. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)

TOKYO -- The weakening yen is under new downward pressure as concerns about inflation in the U.S. have heightened expectations that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates by the end of the year.