Tokyo rubber futures rise

TOKYO: Japanese rubber futures rose for the first time in five days on Thursday, after official data showed that the pace of inoculations against Covid-19 was picking up, which might help boost the economy and demand for industrial commodities.

Osaka Exchange’s rubber contract for November delivery finished 3.5 yen, or 1.5%, higher at 241.1 yen per kg.

The number of people who have had at least one shot has topped 10 million, Japanese media reported, and the government aims to finish vaccinating most elderly citizens by the end of July.

The rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for September delivery rose 1.3% to end at 13,375 yuan per tonne.