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
29
Apr
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-04-28 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Regarding the endorsement of the position paper (opinion paper) issued by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) on the proposed revisions to the REACH regulation, published by the Nanotechnology Business Promotion Council.”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (IFRS) (link) – Financial Statements Explanation (864KB).”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “We have announced our financial results for the fiscal year ending March 2026.”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending March 2026 (IFRS) (link) (455KB).”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Supplementary data for the financial statements of the fiscal year ending March 2026 (IFRS) (link) (156KB).”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Notice Regarding Partial Revision of Mid-Term Performance-Linked Compensation (Performance-Linked Stock Compensation) (152KB).”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Notice regarding the restructuring of the voluntary Nomination and Compensation Advisory Committee (147KB).”
28
Apr
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-04-27 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “Announcement regarding the introduction of a performance-linked restricted stock compensation plan (144KB).”
28
Apr
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-04-27 Shiseido Company,Limited “On April 27, 2026, the anti-aging care*1 brand "Effectim" launched its first-ever mask-type facial device and cream.”
28
Apr
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-04-27 UBE Corporation “Announcement for 2026/04/27: The brand website "UBE COLORS" and the official X account have been launched.”
28
Apr
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-04-27 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Collection and chemical recycling of used Yakult containers has begun at a large shopping mall in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture – horizontal recycling through polystyrene monomerization chemical recycling.”
28
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of registration of new share issuance by our subsidiary.”
28
Apr
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-04-27 Tokuyama Corporation “Tokuyama-AIST launches the "High-Performance Ceramics Co-creation Project" – exploring the possibilities of next-generation ceramics.”
28
Apr
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.”
28
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement regarding the acquisition of manufacturing and marketing approval for "Amshepri® ," an iPS cell-derived product for Parkinson's disease patients, by our subsidiary.”
28
Apr
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. .”
28
Apr
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~".”
28
Apr
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).”
28
Apr
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' ~"”
28
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Summary of President Nobuaki Mito's address at the new employee orientation ceremony.”