Nikkei Industry Sector
Chemicals
Overview
Japan's chemicals sector within the Nikkei 225 encompasses specialty chemical producers, petrochemical companies, industrial gas suppliers, and advanced material manufacturers. Japanese chemical companies are globally recognized for expertise in high-purity and high-precision chemicals used in semiconductor manufacturing, display panels, and advanced industrial processes.
Current Trend
Semiconductor-related specialty chemicals are experiencing exceptional demand growth as global chipmakers expand capacity for AI and advanced computing applications. Japanese suppliers in this niche enjoy strong pricing power and long qualification cycles that protect their positions even as new entrants attempt to compete.
Companies in This Sector
16
ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION
Denka Company Limited
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation
Kao Corporation
KURARAY CO.,LTD.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc.
Nissan Chemical Corporation
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
Resonac Holdings Corporation
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd.
Shiseido Company,Limited
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED
Tokuyama Corporation
TOSOH CORPORATION
UBE Corporation
Today's Avg. Price Change
+0.07%
Simple average of constituent stock price changes vs. previous close. Not a sector index.
Updated: 2026-10-23 (JST)
Position in Japan
Japanese chemicals punches above its weight in specialty and functional chemicals, where precision and consistency command premium pricing. Semiconductor-related chemicals—photoresists, CMP slurries, ultra-high-purity process chemicals—represent a particularly strategic subsegment where Japanese suppliers hold dominant global positions.
Latest Press Releases
24
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-23 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm's hybrid instant camera, "instax min Evo Cinema™," has been selected as one of TIME magazine's "Best Inventions of 2026."”
24
Oct
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-10-23 Tokuyama Corporation “Notice Regarding Absorption Merger (Simplified Merger) of Wholly Owned Subsidiary.”
24
Oct
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-10-23 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “Limited assurance obtained for environmental performance indicators.”
23
Oct
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-10-22 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “2026/10/22 Business-related NEW: Commencement of supply chain demonstration experiment at Mizushima Industrial Complex to realize a carbon-recycling society – Demonstration from by-product gas of steelmaking to methanol and propylene production.”
23
Oct
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-10-22 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “We are launching a new dental porcelain material, Cerabian® Mirai.”
22
Oct
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-10-21 Shiseido Company,Limited “Aqua Label's multi-functional gel cream, available in a generously sized, specially designed, limited-edition version, will be released on October 21, 2026.”
22
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-21 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “"Fujicolor New Year's Cards 2027" orders begin today (Fujifilm).”
22
Oct
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-10-21 TOSOH CORPORATION “October 21, 2026 News Release: Development of "Petrocene CZ11," a non-crosslinked polyethylene for foamed materials – Joint development with Chuo Bussan achieves both recycling and heat resistance of polyethylene foam.”
21
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-20 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm expands production facilities for instax™ "Cheki" film.”
21
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-20 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has been selected for the "Research and Development Project to Strengthen Post-5G Information and Communication System Infrastructure."”
20
Oct
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-10-19 Shiseido Company,Limited “On October 19, 2026, Shiseido announced that two of its products/brands had received awards at the "PENTAWARDS 2026," a global awards ceremony for package design.”
20
Oct
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-10-19 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Personnel Information NEW Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: Organizational changes and personnel transfers (effective October 17, 2026).”
20
Oct
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-10-19 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “October 19, 2026: Management/Business: Established a horizontal recycling scheme for polyethylene pipes using the mass balance method chemical recycling PE "Prasus®".”
17
Oct
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-10-16 TOSOH CORPORATION “October 16, 2026 Announcement: Tosoh's Challenge "Development of High Heat-Resistant Flexible Polyurethane for Automotive Applications" has been updated.”
16
Oct
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-10-15 Shiseido Company,Limited “On October 15, 2026, we will participate in a project in Tokyo to jointly develop cosmetics using raw materials produced with green hydrogen from Tokyo, focusing on sustainability.”
16
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-15 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “35 products from the Fujifilm Group have received the "Good Design Award".”
16
Oct
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-10-15 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “October 15, 2026 Management/Business Mitsui Chemicals and Shiraishi Motors adopt bio-AdBlue® using the mass balance method for the first time in the Kyushu area.”
15
Oct
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-10-14 Shiseido Company,Limited “October 14, 2026: Regarding the future activities of the Shiseido Running Club (Management, Performance, Culture, Sports).”
15
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-14 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm introduces new production equipment for advanced semiconductor material CMP slurry.”
15
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-14 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Received the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's "FY2026 Industrial Standardization Project Award (Director-General's Award for Innovation and Environment Bureau)".”