* Mnuchin reiterates support for ultra long-term bond issuance
* As dollar/yen rises, euro holds ground before May 7 French vote
* Aussie awaits RBA policy decision and statements for cues
By Shinichi Saoshiro
TOKYO, May 2 (Reuters) - The dollar hit a one-month high against the yen on Tuesday, lifted by Treasury yields which surged after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin commented on the possibility of ultra long-term bond issuance.
The greenback last traded at 111.800 yen JPY= after touching 111.945, its highest since March 31.
The dollar was boosted as long-term Treasury yields soared to multi-week highs after Mnuchin reiterated his view in an interview with Bloomberg, saying the government issuing debt exceeding 30-years in maturity "can absolutely make sense."
"The dollar is moving in tandem with Treasury yields, which saw its benchmark rise above the 2.3 percent threshold with Mnuchin seemingly very enthusiastic about issuing so-called ultra long-term bonds," said Yukio Ishizaki, senior currency strategist at Daiwa Securities.
The jump in U.S. debt yields helped the dollar brush off negative pressure from downbeat data.
Reports on Monday showed U.S. factory activity slowed in April, while consumer spending was unchanged in March, and an important inflation measure fell on a monthly basis for the first time since 2001. euro, on the other hand, held its ground against the dollar. The common currency was up 0.1 percent at $1.0909 EUR= , adding to modest gains made overnight.
It was in reach of a 5-1/2-month high of $1.0951 scaled last week on relief after Emmanuel Macron's victory against anti-euro nationalist Marine Le Pen in the first round of France's presidential elections. The runoff vote is on May 7.
"The euro was initially expected to become volatile as the May 7 French vote neared, but it is still holding very firm. With French equities also at record highs, it appears that the market is treating Macron's win as a foregone conclusion," Ishizaki at Daiwa Securities said.
The euro traded at 122.00 yen EURJPY= after touching a 1-1/2-month high of 122.150.
The Australian dollar was a shade higher at $0.7532 AUD=D4 , drawing support from a bounce in iron ore prices.
Of key importance for the Aussie was the Reserve Bank of Australia's policy decision later in the day. While the central bank is widely expected to stand pat on interest rates, investors were keen to know whether it would recognise recently upbeat domestic economic data.
The U.S. dollar index .DXY against a basket of major currencies was effectively flat at 99.073 after posting a small gain overnight.