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
07
Oct
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-10-06 Shiseido Company,Limited “October 6, 2026: Experience a balanced and personalized 7-day beauty routine with jelly and drinks – The Collagen Bijouage Set (product/brand).”
07
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-06 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has installed manufacturing equipment for antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) raw materials at its Hirono Plant.”
07
Oct
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
2026-10-06 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Successful production of a working model of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) using biomass raw materials, aiming for mass production – Sample provision of bio-manufacturing begins – .”
07
Oct
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-10-06 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Notice Regarding Adjustment of Conversion Price for Euroyen-Denominated Convertible Bonds with Stock Acquisition Rights Maturing in 2028 (Disclosure of Adjusted Conversion Price).”
06
Oct
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-10-05 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “A new generation A3 color multifunction printer that continues to evolve with cloud and AI (Fujifilm Business Innovation).”
06
Oct
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-10-05 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “October 5, 2026: Business and Management – Launch of "InnoCell® P-type," a high-oxygen-permeable culture plate to accelerate organoid drug discovery.”
06
Oct
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-10-05 TOSOH CORPORATION “October 5, 2026 Announcement: The research and development column "Si-doped GaN thin films fabricated by sputtering" has been updated.”
03
Oct
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-10-02 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Denka and Kainos to jointly exhibit at JACLaS EXPO 2026 – showcasing diagnostic reagents and testing solutions at Japan's largest clinical testing-related exhibition.”
03
Oct
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-10-02 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Resonac collaborates as a supplier in a green ammonia demonstration project in Fukushima Prefecture, supplying renewable energy-derived ammonia to local consumers and contributing to regional decarbonization through "local production for local consumption."”
03
Oct
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-10-02 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “Toshihiro Omatsu, Managing Executive Officer, received a Special Award in the "Nikkei CrossTech's CTO of the Year 2026" awards.”
02
Oct
Kao Corporation JP3205800000
2026-10-01 Kao Corporation “"PureOra Ultra-Adhesive Whipped Toothpaste," which uses whipped foam to trap and remove bacteria that cause bad breath and periodontal disease*1, is now on sale. (News release October 1, 2026) Product/Brand.”
02
Oct
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-10-01 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Denka Astec has relaunched its "Dam Armor" foundation flashing with flood prevention function. The specifications have been changed to aluminum, achieving flood prevention performance equivalent to "Ws-5" based on JIS A 4716.”
02
Oct
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-10-01 Tokuyama Corporation “(Progress of Disclosed Matters) Notice regarding the establishment of a wholly owned subsidiary and a company split (simplified absorption-type split) accompanying the transfer of shares of the domestic sales business of cement and solidification materials and some consolidated subsidiaries, as well as the completion of the transfer of shares of said wholly owned subsidiary (change of subsidiary), and the recording of extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses.”
02
Oct
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
2026-10-01 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding additional support for the Kumamoto Earthquake of 2026.”
02
Oct
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-10-01 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Announcement regarding the completion of the partial spin-off of Clasas Chemical (petrochemical business).”
01
Oct
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-09-30 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Tokyo Innovation Center "inovas TOKYO" reopens after renovations – "Connecting through dialogue."”
01
Oct
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-09-30 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Notice Regarding Cancellation of Treasury Stock (190KB).”
01
Oct
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-09-30 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “September 30, 2026: IR "Mitsui Chemicals Report 2026" released.”
01
Oct
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. JP3371200001
2026-09-30 Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.,Ltd. “Notice of finalization of payment amounts for stock options (share subscription rights) for directors, executive officers, and employees.”
01
Oct
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-09-30 Denka Company Limited “CSR "Denka Report 2026 Integrated Report" Published – Introducing the growth strategy and value creation envisioned in Phase 2 of the management plan "Mission 2030".”