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
-0.83%
Simple average of constituent stock price changes vs. previous close. Not a sector index.
Updated: 2026-10-30 (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
25
Jul
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. JP3371200001
2026-07-24 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. “Notice Regarding the Purchase of Treasury Stock Through Off-Exchange Trading (ToSTNeT-3) (Treasury Stock Purchase through Commitment-Type Share Acquisition (FCSR)).”
25
Jul
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-07-24 Tokuyama Corporation “(Progress of Disclosed Matters) Notice regarding the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary and a company split (simplified absorption-type company split) in connection with the domestic sales business of cement and solidification materials and the transfer of shares of some consolidated subsidiaries, as well as the transfer of shares of said wholly owned subsidiary (change of subsidiary).”
24
Jul
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-07-23 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm Business Innovation has achieved horizontal closed-loop recycling of plastics in collaboration with Teijin.”
24
Jul
Kao Corporation JP3205800000
2026-07-23 Kao Corporation “Kao Corporation receives the Grand Prize at the "CLO of the Year 2026" awards hosted by Nikkei Business. (Announced July 23, 2026) Awarded for Management and Finance.”
24
Jul
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-07-23 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “2026/07/23 Business-related NEW: Development of a new series of carbon fiber prepreg Xlinktech. Contributing to further performance improvements of CFRP, from sports and leisure applications to mobility and industrial applications.”
24
Jul
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-07-23 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “2026.07.23 IR [Timely Disclosure] Notice Regarding Completion of Payment for Disposition of Treasury Stock as Restricted Stock Compensation (PDF: 102.5KB).”
24
Jul
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-07-23 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Four businesses in the Higashine-Omori Industrial Park in Yamagata Prefecture have achieved a natural gas conversion through collaboration among multiple operators, with an expected reduction of approximately 1,600 tons of CO2 emissions annually.”
24
Jul
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-07-23 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “Regarding the judgment concerning the intellectual property infringement lawsuit filed by our Chinese group company.”
23
Jul
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-07-22 Shiseido Company,Limited “A new beauty jelly will be launched from The Collagen on July 22, 2026! A convenient and delicious product and brand for building a foundation for beauty, transforming your daily breaks into beauty time.”
23
Jul
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-07-22 Shiseido Company,Limited “Aqua Label Gold All-in-One was renewed on July 22, 2026, becoming a multi-functional gel cream that allows for free and luxurious skincare. Product and brand beauty information.”
23
Jul
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-07-22 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has received Japan's first regulatory approval for a concurrent lead type medical device that assists in the detection of cerebral aneurysms.”
23
Jul
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-07-22 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “Regarding participation in the Sustainability "Leaders' Meeting to Accelerate the Advancement of Women" on July 22, 2026.”
23
Jul
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-07-22 Shiseido Company,Limited “A new beauty jelly will be launched from The Collagen on July 22, 2026! A convenient and delicious product and brand for building a foundation for beauty, transforming your daily breaks into beauty time.”
23
Jul
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-07-22 Shiseido Company,Limited “Aqua Label Gold All-in-One was renewed on July 22, 2026, becoming a multi-functional gel cream that allows for free and luxurious skincare. Product and brand beauty information.”
23
Jul
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-07-22 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has received Japan's first regulatory approval for a concurrent lead type medical device that assists in the detection of cerebral aneurysms.”
23
Jul
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-07-22 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “Regarding participation in the Sustainability "Leaders' Meeting to Accelerate the Advancement of Women" on July 22, 2026.”
16
Jul
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-07-15 Shiseido Company,Limited “On July 15, 2026, Inoui, a brand that helps you achieve your own unique beauty, will release limited-edition eye colors and a pressed powder that will become a permanent product, bringing out the gentle charm of an adult.”
16
Jul
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-07-15 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm adds a "SILVER" color option to its "instax mini 99™" lineup.”
16
Jul
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-07-15 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “July 15, 2026: Management & Business – Mitsui Chemicals integrates its dental 3D printing business in Japan into Sun Medical.”
16
Jul
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-07-15 Resonac Holdings Corporation “We built a unique model to standardize and deploy on-site AI agents company-wide, achieving a 95% utilization rate and monthly workload reductions equivalent to 470 million yen within six months of introducing generated AI.”