Japan rubber futures fall

TOKYO: Japanese rubber futures fell on Tuesday after the government said it would extend a state of emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which is likely to constrain economic activity and hit demand for commodities.

Osaka Exchange’s rubber contract for July delivery finished down 3.7 yen, or 1.6%, at 232.3 yen per kg.

Japan is set to extend a state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions for another month on Tuesday, seeking to keep the upper hand over a COVID-19 outbreak even as daily case numbers begin to edge down.

The rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for May delivery fell 0.4% to finish at 14,570 yuan per tonne.