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
20
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].”
20
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.”
20
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.”
20
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.”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “SMS message regarding the final accounts for March 2026.”
20
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.”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding the Recognition of Financial Income (Foreign Exchange Gains).”
20
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in executive personnel.”
20
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.”
20
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."”
20
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.”
20
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
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-05-19 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “We will be exhibiting at the "Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 YOKOHAMA".”
20
May
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-05-19 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “We have posted the presentation materials (with script) and a summary of the Q&A session from the "FY2026 First Quarter Earnings Briefing."”
19
May
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-05-18 Shiseido Company,Limited “On May 18, 2026, Clé de Peau Beauté's Key Radiance Care line began offering mini-sized versions of its products and brands.”
19
May
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-05-18 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “The FUJIFILM GFX100RF, a digital camera with an integrated lens, won the "Best of the Best Award."”
19
May
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-05-18 UBE Corporation “Announcement (May 18, 2026): An interview with President Nishida has been published in the American business magazine "Entrepreneur".”
19
May
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-05-18 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “May 18, 2026: Business and Management – Mitsui Chemicals and Ishizuka Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. selected for the Ministry of the Environment's "FY2025 Supplementary Budget FS Project for Establishing a Stable Supply System for Recycled Plastics for Automobiles, etc."”
19
May
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-05-18 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Manufacturing plant for "SNECTON®," a low-dielectric organic insulating resin supporting data communication infrastructure in the 5G and AI era, completed. ~Establishing a supply system that can respond to the advancement of high-speed, high-capacity communication.~”
19
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of our participation in the "Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026".”