RUBBER — Japan futures rise on stronger China tyre output, firmer Shanghai market

By Emily Ou Yong Oct 16 (Reuters) — Japanese rubber futures rose on Friday, supported by a rebound in Chinese tyre production and a firmer Shanghai market, although softer Thai physical prices kept the contract on track for a weekly loss. The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for March delivery was up 4.3 yen, or 0.96%, at 450.9 yen ($2.85) per kg, as of 0155 GMT The contract has lost 1.94% so far this week The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for January delivery rose 210 yuan, or 1.06%, to 19,970 yuan ($2,984.25) per metric ton The most active November butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE surged 380 yuan, or 2.41%, to 16,150 yuan per metric ton China's semi-steel tyre production rate rose to 60.43% as of October 15, from 28.48% a week earlier, while the all-steel tyre production rate climbed to 52.22% from 28.97%, as factories resumed output after the National Day holiday, data from rubber information provider Qinrex showed The prices of Thailand's benchmark export-grade smoked rubber sheet (RSS3) and block rubber were down 1.49% and 1.8%, respectively Thai latex cost support is weakening as the region enters its seasonal production upswing, though a su