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
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have been certified as a "Health Management Excellent Corporation 2026 (Large Corporation Category) White 500" for the ninth consecutive year.”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube video titled "A Close Look at an Employee's Challenge! ~[A Day in the Life] First Time on YouTube! A Rookie Sales General Manager with a Research Background Takes on a Challenging Project – Japan's First of its Kind~".”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “New biostimulant "Nobitec" launched in Japan – improving crop growth and yield by promoting photosynthesis and enhancing heat tolerance. .”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “(Progress of Disclosed Matters) Notice Regarding the Conclusion of an Absorption-Type Company Split Agreement (Simplified Absorption-Type Company Split) Related to the Integration of Domestic Polyolefin Businesses (PP and LLDPE).”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Summary of President Nobuaki Mito's address at the new employee orientation ceremony.”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube video titled "Sumika no Mikata ~ [Nobel Prize in Chemistry x Sumitomo Chemical] Professor Susumu Kitagawa and MOF take on the challenge of 'water recovery from the air' ~"”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Sumitomo Chemical Group and T2 launch commercial operation of autonomous trucks, a first in the chemical industry – fully utilizing autonomous trucks for trunk line transportation of chemical products. .”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice Regarding the Issuance of New Shares, etc., by Our Subsidiary.”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “New Advanced Semiconductor Photoresist Technology Building Constructed at Osaka Plant – Consolidating Manufacturing Process Technology, Quality Evaluation, and Analysis Functions to Strengthen Supply System – .”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube video titled "A Close Look at Our Employees' Challenges! ~[A Day in the Life] Taking on Diseases That Couldn't Be Cured with Conventional Medicines! The Challenges of Oligonucleotide Department Members Supporting Cutting-Edge Pharmaceutical Development~".”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding the Japan Fair Trade Commission's review results on the integration of domestic polyolefin businesses: Sumitomo Chemical to integrate its PP and LLDPE businesses into Prime Polymer. .”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement regarding the presentation of Biondo® at the 80th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science.”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of revised sulfuric acid prices.”
10
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of our participation in the "Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026".”
10
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.”
09
May
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-05-08 Shiseido Company,Limited “On May 8, 2026, Shiseido Japan and Gifu Prefecture signed a cooperation agreement regarding "promoting women's health, cancer prevention, and promoting the health of prefectural residents" (Sustainability).”
09
May
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-05-08 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has obtained manufacturing and marketing approval for "Seibicus® Injection," the first regenerative medicine product in Japan for treating meniscus injuries.”
09
May
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-05-08 TOSOH CORPORATION “May 8, 2026 News Release: Biomass power plant begins operation – making a significant contribution to the reduction of GHG emissions within the Tosoh Group.”
09
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have been certified as a "Health Management Excellent Corporation 2026 (Large Corporation Category) White 500" for the ninth consecutive year.”
09
May
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube video titled "A Close Look at an Employee's Challenge! ~[A Day in the Life] First Time on YouTube! A Rookie Sales General Manager with a Research Background Takes on a Challenging Project – Japan's First of its Kind~".”