(Recasts, updates prices to market close)
By Ruth Chai
Feb 10 (Reuters) -
<ul>
<li>Japanese rubber futures snapped a four-session winning streak on Tuesday, weighed down by a stronger yen, while firm spot prices and overseas buying supported Chinese and Singapore rubber prices.</li>
<li>In contrast, the Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for July delivery (JRUc6) (0#2JRU:) closed down 4.5 yen, or 1.27%, at 350.4 yen ($2.25) per kg.</li>
<li>The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for May delivery (SNRv1) rose 140 yuan, or 0.86%, to 16,335 yuan ($2,363.62) per metric ton.</li>
<li>The most-active March butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE (SHBRv1) rose 105 yuan, or 0.82%, to 12,860 yuan per ton.</li>
<li>The Japanese yen (JPY=EBS) strengthened to 155.24 per U.S. dollar after rising 0.8% on Monday.</li>
<li>Verbal warnings from authorities helped strengthen the yen after the currency weakened in the immediate aftermath of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s election victory.</li>
<li>A stronger currency makes yen-denominated assets less affordable to overseas buyers. (FRX/)</li>
<li>Meanwhile, firm raw material prices supported Chinese and Singapore natural rubber contracts by pushing up spot and break-even prices, a trader said.</li>
<li>Demand from factories outside China, which are generally willing to purchase raw materials at higher prices, also provided cost support, Gelin Dahua Futures said in a note.</li>
<li>However, prices may be pressured this week and the next due to a decline in rubber demand from tire manufacturers that are shutting down factories ahead of the Lunar New Year.</li>
<li>The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange’s SICOM platform for March delivery (STFc1) last traded at 190.9 U.S. cents per kg, up 0.5% as of 0701 GMT.</li>
<li>The Osaka Exchange is closed on Wednesday, February 11, for a holiday.</li>
</ul>
($1 = 155.4100 yen)
($1 = 6.9110 yuan)

RUBBER-Japan futures snap four-day rally on stronger yen