Key TOCOM rubber futures ended 1.2 percent higher on Friday as yen's fall against the dollar improved sentiment, but prospects of sluggish demand kept prices in check. "The market barely moved, although buying from some foreign funds in anticipation of the Thai government's intervention plan propped up the prices before the close," said a trader.

The key Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for May delivery settled up 3.3 yen, or 1.2 percent, at 259.1 yen per kg. The most active Shanghai rubber contract for May delivery climbed 1.2 percent to close at 23,945 yuan per tonne. The front-month January contract on the SICOM in Singapore was last traded at 282.1 US cents per kg, up 0.4 percent.

Copyright Reuters, 2012