TOKYO: Japanese rubber futures fell more than one percent on Wednesday, sliding for a second day, as rising coronavirus infections around the world raised demand concerns and data showed Japan’s consumer sentiment dropped again.

Osaka Exchange’s rubber contract for March delivery finished down 2.5 yen, or 1.3%, at 184 yen per kg. It had fallen by the same percentage amount on Tuesday.

Japanese retail sales declined 1.9% in August from a year earlier, dropping for a sixth straight month with consumer sentiment remaining fragile due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis, government figures showed on Wednesday.

The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for January delivery ended 2.3% lower at 12,350 yuan per tonne.