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
30
Jun
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-06-29 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “2026/06/29 Other NEW: The "Physical Internet Realization Conference – Chemicals Working Group" has made the nationwide movement of hazardous materials logistics the first in the chemical industry to be visualized.”
30
Jun
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-06-29 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “June 29, 2026: Management/Business – "Physical Internet Realization Conference – Chemicals Working Group" formulates standard guidelines for chemical logistics information. The industry's first data linkage platform is introduced to address transportation capacity shortages.”
30
Jun
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-06-29 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “On June 29, 2026, the "Physical Internet Realization Conference – Chemicals Working Group" in the Management/Business section made the nationwide movement of hazardous materials logistics the first in the chemical industry to be visualized.”
30
Jun
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. JP3371200001
2026-06-29 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. “We have posted the extraordinary report (results of voting at the 149th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders).”
30
Jun
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-06-29 TOSOH CORPORATION “June 29, 2026 News Release: "Physical Internet Realization Conference – Chemicals Working Group" becomes the first in the chemical industry to visualize the movement of hazardous materials logistics nationwide.”
30
Jun
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-06-29 TOSOH CORPORATION “June 29, 2026 News Release: "Physical Internet Realization Conference – Chemicals Working Group" formulates standard guidelines for chemical logistics information – introducing the industry's first data linkage platform to address transportation capacity shortages.”
26
Jun
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-06-25 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Agreement concerning the supply of city gas using overseas-produced biomethane as a raw material, a first in the chemical industry (Fujifilm).”
26
Jun
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-06-25 UBE Corporation “2026/06/25 IR News: Notice Regarding Disposition of Treasury Stock as Restricted Stock Compensation.”
26
Jun
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-06-25 UBE Corporation “Notice of Resolutions of the 120th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, dated 2026/06/25.”
26
Jun
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-06-25 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Announcement 2026/06/25 NEW: The results of the voting at the 21st Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders have been posted.”
26
Jun
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-06-25 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “2026/06/25 Business-related NEW: "Demonstration Project for the Construction of a Resource Recycling System in a Wide-Area Local Government in FY2025" completed. The effectiveness of the resource recycling model for waste plastics from containers and packaging was confirmed through demonstration in a major metropolitan area.”
26
Jun
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-06-25 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “IR (Investor Relations) dated June 25, 2026: Results of Voting at the 29th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (PDF: 165.4KB).”
26
Jun
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-06-25 TOSOH CORPORATION “IR (Investor Relations) 127th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, PowerPoint presentation, June 25, 2026.”
26
Jun
Nissan Chemical Corporation JP3670800006
2026-06-25 Nissan Chemical Corporation “Regarding our approach and policies on reducing the investment unit.”
26
Jun
Nissan Chemical Corporation JP3670800006
2026-06-25 Nissan Chemical Corporation “Notice of Resolutions of the 156th Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.”
26
Jun
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-06-25 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Resonaq has signed an MOU with BEAM Technologies, Japan Low Earth Orbit Corporation, and others regarding semiconductor manufacturing in low Earth orbit, aiming for a breakthrough in "semiconductor manufacturing in space."”
26
Jun
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-06-25 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Strengthening production system for high-purity hydrogen fluoride gas for semiconductors – Production to begin at Tokuyama Plant by 2026 to meet expanding semiconductor demand.”
25
Jun
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-06-24 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “We have published the results of the exercise of voting rights at the 161st Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (Extraordinary Report).”
25
Jun
Kao Corporation JP3205800000
2026-06-24 Kao Corporation “Kao Corporation launches new brand "SOFINA BASIC+" from its "SOFINA" line. (News release date: June 24, 2026)”
25
Jun
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-06-24 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Announcement 2026/06/24 NEW: Notice of Resolutions of the 21st Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders has been posted.”