SINGAPORE: Japanese rubber futures rose for a third session on Tuesday, supported by gains in the Shanghai market and a weaker yen, as media reports of top buyer China relaxing some of its COVID-19 curbs boosted sentiment.

The Osaka Exchange rubber contract for April delivery was up 2.0 yen, or 0.9%, at 219.5 yen ($1.56) per kg as of 0200 GMT. The rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for January delivery was up 25 yuan, or 0.2%, at 12,635 yuan ($1,791) per tonne. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei share average opened down 0.08%.

Mainland China’s Health Commission reported 17,909 new coronavirus cases for Nov 14, compared with 16,203 new cases a day earlier. Against the Japanese yen, the US dollar gained 0.34% to 140.40 yen, adding to its 0.84% overnight rebound from a 2 1/2 month low of 138.46.