Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures ended down 1.6 percent on Tuesday, with the dollar hitting a four-month low against the yen afterNorth Korea fired a missile over northern Japan, stoking worries of fresh tension between Washington and Pyongyang.
North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan's northern Hokkaido island into the sea early on Tuesday, prompting warnings for residents to take cover while provoking a sharp reaction from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other leaders.
Tokyo Commodity Exchange (TOCOM) futures have been weighed down by extended declines in Shanghai futures due to the recent gains in China's yuan against the dollar, brokers said.
The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for February delivery finished 3.5 yen lower at 215.5 yen ($1.98) per kg.
The most-active rubber contract on the Shanghai futures exchange for January delivery fell 155 yuan to finish at 16,445 yuan ($2,490) per tonne.
The front-month rubber contract on Singapore's SICOM exchange for September delivery last traded at 153 U.S. cents per kg, down 1.8 cents.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd said on Tuesday it would merge with Dunlop Sports Co Ltd, effective Jan. 1, 2018, and Dunlop Sports will be dissolved after the merger, and will be delisted from Tokyo Stock Exchange first section on Dec. 27.
($1 = 108.6400 yen) ($1 = 6.6036 Chinese yuan)
