The dollar slightly extended losses versus the yen on Thursday after data showed new U.S. claims for jobless benefits climbed more steeply than anticipated last week.

The dollar fell as low as 86.66 yen JPY= after the data, compared with 86.78 earlier. It was last at 86.69 yen, down 0.4 percent on the day. (Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)