On Thursday, the dollar posted gains despite weak economic statistics from the US, as markets' attention is more focused on signals of a possible easing of trade differences. In addition, the Bank of Japan revised downward its economic growth and inflation forecasts and suspended interest rate changes.Japanese factory activity contracted in April for the tenth consecutive month amid weaker external demand. Manufacturers reported weaker demand from key export markets - China, Europe and the US, causing the index of new export orders to fall at the fastest pace since October last year.Against the background of data and signals from the field of international relations, quotes of the pair USD/JPY continued to grow. However, the price is now in the previously described zone: 144.00-144.50.Later on Thursday, the U.S. will publish data on jobless claims and ISM manufacturing index, but the key benchmark for the markets will be Friday's employment data.