TOKYO - The euro rose in Asia Friday after the head of the International Monetary Fund said the global lender was likely to achieve its target of raising US$400 billion (S$502.36 billion) as a firewall against future debt crises.

The single currency was changing hands at US$1.3145 (S$1.65) and 107.23 yen (S$1.66) in Tokyo, compared with US$1.3134 and 107.19 yen late Thursday in New York.

The dollar bought 81.56 yen, against 81.60 yen.

Christine Lagarde's optimistic forecast came as finance chiefs met in Washington where they discussed plans to support troubled economies.

She called on members of the IMF to chip in to protect countries from any financial contagion from Europe.

Her comments were followed by Japan's Finance Minister Jun Azumi, who also said the Washington-based IMF was nearing its target for the rescue fund.

But worries about Italy and Spain's finances continued to drag on the single currency, said Takao Yahata, chief manager of currency trading at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking.

A successful Spanish bond auction on Thursday appeared to do little to allay investors' fears about Madrid's finances and the continent's fiscal woes.

"We can't rule out the risk that markets will again become doubtful over the health of Spain's banks and, if you look at Italy, its road to fix its fiscal problems is bumpy due to unfavourable economic conditions," Yahata told Dow Jones Newswires.

Japan has pledged US$60.0 billion to the IMF, saying it was a critical part of the organisation's bid to boost a global firewall against Europe's debt crisis.

With the United States not taking part, all eyes are on China and the other emerging powers to see if they will contribute some of their newfound wealth to help European economies.