NEW YORK (Reuters) - The dollar fell below 83 yenfor the first time in 15 years on Tuesday after Japan's primeminister won a ruling party leadership vote, reducing thechances Japanese authorities would attempt to stem yen gains.

The dollar fell as low as 82.97 yen on tradingplatform EBS, its lowest level since mid-1995. It was down 0.7percent from late Monday.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan is seen as less likely tointervene to weaken the yen than his vanquished rival, partyheavyweight Ichiro Ozawa. But analysts say any sudden lurchlower in dollar/yen could force authorities to act.

The euro also wiped out earlier losses against the dollarand was last flat on the day at $1.2880 .