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RUBBER-Japanese futures ease but hovers near 13-year closing high

* Japanese rubber futures succumbed to a second session on Thursday, As the market resumed trading after a public holiday remained near a 13-year closing high hit previously this week.

* The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for August shipment was down 1.5 yen, 0.43%, at 345 yen per kg, since 0205 GMT.

* The rubber agreement on the Shanghai futures exchange ( SHFE) for May shipment fell 210 yuan, or 1.33%, to 15,220 yuan per metric heap.

* Bank of Japan Guv Kazuo Ueda stated the central bank would continue to support the economy by preserving accommodative monetary conditions for the time being.

* Japan's exports grew for a third straight month in February, as need enhanced in the U.S., China and the European Union.

* The majority of Japanese companies expect the reserve bank to lift interest rates further this year, with lots of wanting to front-load capital spending before providing costs increase, a study showed.

* The Japanese yen increased 0.5% against the dollar to 150.50.

* Japan's benchmark Nikkei average opened 1.27%. at. 40,511.55.

* Japan's financing minister Shunichi Suzuki said the. government was. seeing currency market moves, with a high sense of seriousness,. as the yen has actually been up to four-month-lows beyond 151 per dollar.

* Oil costs rebounded after falling on Wednesday, as U.S. crude. and gas inventory decreases supported the marketplace after signs. the Federal Reserve may keep rates higher for longer crimped. the outlook for future fuel demand.

* Natural rubber often takes direction from oil costs, as. it. competes for market show synthetic rubber, which is made. from crude oil.

* The front-month rubber agreement on Singapore Exchange's. SICOM. platform for April shipment last traded at 171.9 U.S. cents per kg.

(source: Reuters)