US dollar extends gains vs yen, hits session highs

NEW YORK Oct 9 (Reuters) - The dollar rose to session highs against the yen in mid-morning trade on Friday, extending a rally sparked by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the U.S. central bank will be ready to tighten monetary policy as a recovery takes hold.

The dollar traded as high as 89.57 yen JPY=, according to Reuters data, moving further away from an 8 1/2-month low hit earlier in the week. It last traded up 1.2 percent at 89.44 yen. (Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)