The U.S. dollar was weaker on Tuesday before the release of a slate of economic data that is expected to shape the path ahead for interest rates, while the yen firmed for the second day in the wake of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's election victory. The Japanese yen strengthened to 155.24 per U.S. dollar after rising 0.8% on Monday. Verbal warnings from authorities helped strengthen the yen after the currency weakened in the immediate aftermath of the victory. The rising expectation that the landslide win could allow Takaichi's government to be more fiscally responsible because it eliminates the need for negotiations with opposition parties has also helped the yen and soothed investor jitters.