Dollar hold gains against yen on upbeat U.S. data

By Yuzuha Oka TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar edged up against the yen on Wednesday within sight of a 10-1/2 month high in thin holiday trade, after strong U.S. economic data reinforced expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve would be more hawkish in the year ahead. The dollar was last flat against the yen at 117.45, after gaining nearly 0.5 percent to 117.63 yen on Tuesday in the wake of data showing U.S. consumer confidence hit 15-year peak in December. The Conference Board said its U.S. Consu