The dollar stayed in sight of its highest level in nearly nine months against the yen on Thursday before an expected rise in U.S. interest rates that would widen the dollar's yield advantage over other currencies. Traders said that an upward revision in U.S. first-quarter economic growth issued in the previous session, as well as month-end demand by Japanese investors including importers, also supported the dollar. Market participants expect the Federal Reserve to announce a quarter-percentage point rise in the funds rate to 3.25 percent and to support further tightening when it issues its policy statement at 1815 GMT at the end of a two-day meeting. Such a rise would improve the dollar's rate advantage over the euro and the yen, and continue to support the U.S. currency in the near term, analysts said. Some traders said that even a tweaking in the Fed's post-meeting statement might not dampen market expectations for further rate rises. "Whether the 'measured pace' phrasing is left in or taken out, the market is well aware of (Fed chief Alan) Greenspan's optimism about the economy," said Mitsuru Sahara, senior vice president of forex at UFJ Bank. "So there's really no doubt that rates will rise to 4 percent through the end of the year."