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
15
Sep
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-09-14 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “"Kuraray products contribute to the semiconductor and AI data center fields."”
12
Sep
Kao Corporation JP3205800000
2026-09-11 Kao Corporation “"Quickle Quick-Clean Mop" New Product Release September 11, 2026 News Release Product/Brand.”
12
Sep
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-09-11 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Announcement (September 11, 2026): We will be exhibiting at NEW TOKYO PACK 2026.”
11
Sep
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-09-10 Shiseido Company,Limited “September 10, 2026: Awaken infinite brilliance with impactful colors and multi-colored glitter.”
11
Sep
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-09-10 Denka Company Limited “Notice Regarding Fire at Our Aomi Plant.”
11
Sep
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-09-10 Tokuyama Corporation “Tokuyama to increase aluminum nitride powder production capacity by 30% – Regarding the installation of new facilities at its Advanced Technology Commercialization Center.”
11
Sep
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
2026-09-10 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of our participation in "SEMICON India 2026".”
10
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-09 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm Business Innovation was selected as a "Leader" in the IDC MarketScape Japan Sustainability Programs and Services Hardcopy 2026 Vendor Assessment.”
10
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-09 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Seven products and initiatives received awards in the Brands & Communication Design category of the "Red Dot Design Award 2026".”
10
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-09 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Announcement regarding the optimization of the production and sales system for printing plate materials to further strengthen the graphic communication business (Fujifilm Business Innovation).”
10
Sep
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-09-09 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “2026/09/09 Other NEW: Investment in NLM, a US company developing organic electro-optical materials for next-generation optical communications – Strengthening Mitsubishi Chemical's position in the field of optical interconnect materials for AI data centers.”
10
Sep
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-09-09 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Shipments of this season's influenza HA vaccine have begun – Providing nationwide preparation before the flu season begins, supporting infectious disease control.”
09
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-08 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm has released the VF-GFXC2, a dedicated electronic viewfinder for the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55.”
09
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-08 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm begins offering "ETERNA ProRemote".”
09
Sep
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-09-08 Tokuyama Corporation “Requests for the Tokuyama Report 2026 (Integrated Report) booklet are now being accepted.”
09
Sep
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
2026-09-08 SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Twelve new products and technologies have been certified under "Sumika Sustainable Solutions".”
09
Sep
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-09-08 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “We have launched the <Katana® Avencia® P Plus>.”
08
Sep
NITTO DENKO CORPORATION JP3684000007
2026-09-07 NITTO DENKO CORPORATION “We have launched a contamination-resistant RO membrane that contributes to highly challenging wastewater treatment and reuse—contributing to stable operation and reduced maintenance burden under harsh raw water conditions.”
08
Sep
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-09-07 Shiseido Company,Limited “September 7, 2026 – Elixir's first ever! Experience the top-performing products that have won 321 Best Cosmetics Awards all at once.”
08
Sep
FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation JP3814000000
2026-09-07 FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation “Fujifilm launches new dynamic surface pressure sensor system "Prescale Motion".”