RUBBER-Japan futures weaken on firmer yen, US-Sino trade tensions

SINGAPORE, Feb 26 (Reuters) -

• Japanese rubber futures declined for a third consecutive session on Wednesday, pressured by a stronger yen and trade tensions between the U.S. and top consumer China, overshadowing concerns over an off-season supply shortage.

• The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for August delivery JRUc6, 0#2JRU: was down 4 yen, or 1.09%, at 364 yen ($2.44) per kg, as of 0218 GMT.

• The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for May delivery SNRv1 fell 290 yuan, or 1.62%, to 17,605 yuan ($2,426.77) per metric ton.

• The most active February butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE SHBRv1 lost 130 yuan, or 0.95%, to 13,585 yuan ($1,872.63) per metric ton.

• The safe-haven yen JPY=EBS was last at 148.865 yen per dollar, near its highest level since last October amid renewed tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. USD/

• A stronger currency makes yen-denominated assets less affordable to overseas buyers. FRX/

• Chinese equities stumbled on Tuesday amid tech sell-offs and escalating geopolitical risks, fuelled by the Trump administration's "America First Investment Policy", which aims to step up restrictions on China.

• In the automobile market, European car sales dropped in January, industry data showed on Tuesday, dampening market sentiment and causing Tesla TSLA.O stocks to tumble.

• Automobile sales could influence the intensity of automobile manufacturing, which involves using rubber-made tyres.

• Still, the outlook for supply is tightening as natural rubber is in a low production period, Chinese financial data provider Tonghuashun Information said in a note.

• Rubber crops usually undergo a season of low production from February to May, before a peak harvesting period that lasts until September.

• From February 26-March 3, there will be isolated thundershowers in the South, Thailand's meteorological agency said on its website, adding that farmers should be wary of possible crop damage.

• The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's SICOM platform for March delivery STFc1 last traded at 199.5 U.S. cents per kg, down 1.6%.

($1 = 149.3200 yen)

($1 = 7.2545 Chinese yuan)