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
+0.49%
Simple average of constituent stock price changes vs. previous close. Not a sector index.
Updated: 2026-10-28 (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
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement regarding the Biondo® exhibit at "HFE JAPAN 2026," an exhibition on health and functional food ingredients [May 27th (Wed) – 29th (Fri) / Tokyo Big Sight].”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of the conclusion of a stock exchange agreement (simplified stock exchange) for the complete acquisition of Koei Chemical Co., Ltd. by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding the Decrease in the Amount of "Capital Reserve" and its Transfer to "Other Capital Surplus" as a Result of the Stock Exchange.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding Differences Between the Individual Performance of Our Consolidated Subsidiary (Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd.) and the Previous Fiscal Year.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “SMS message regarding the final accounts for March 2026.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding the Reversal of Impairment Losses on Shares of Affiliated Companies in Individual Financial Statements.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding the Recognition of Financial Income (Foreign Exchange Gains).”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in executive personnel.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We are participating in the "Project to Make Japanese Companies' Tacit Knowledge/Internal Data AI-Ready," led by Stockmark, a company that is leading the development of domestically produced AI generation platforms.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have posted the video of the "Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results and Management Strategy Briefing."”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding Differences Between the Individual Performance of Our Consolidated Subsidiary (Taoka Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and the Previous Fiscal Year.”
21
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We are pleased to announce our participation in PCIM Europe 2026, one of the world's largest exhibitions related to power electronics.”
20
May
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-05-19 Shiseido Company,Limited “On May 19, 2026, Anessa achieved a historic first! The product/brand won the Grand Prix, the highest award, at the "Japan Marketing Awards."”
20
May
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-05-19 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “By utilizing AI generation, data entry tasks for non-standard forms are streamlined (Fujifilm Business Innovation).”
20
May
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-05-19 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “"Tunnel Inspection DX Solution" now supports railway tunnel inspection (Fujifilm).”
20
May
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-05-19 Denka Company Limited “Notice regarding personnel changes effective June 15th and August 1st, 2026.”
20
May
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-05-19 TOSOH CORPORATION “Announcement (May 19, 2026): We have launched a new content section: "Research and Development Column".”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of our participation in the "Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026".”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We will expand our product portfolio of high-purity alumina and accelerate our business expansion into the advanced semiconductor market.”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of our participation in the 10th Bio-Pharmaceuticals EXPO at Interphex Week Tokyo.”