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
03
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “The Chiba Plant received the "Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director's Award for Excellent Energy Management Business."”
03
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of registration of new share issuance by our subsidiary.”
03
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in officers and directors.”
03
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~".”
03
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.”
03
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.”
03
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).”
03
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. .”
03
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' ~"”
03
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Summary of President Nobuaki Mito's address at the new employee orientation ceremony.”
03
Apr
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-04-02 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “2026 Edition: "Future careers that new first-graders want to pursue" and "careers that parents want their children to pursue."”
02
Apr
Shiseido Company,Limited JP3351600006
2026-04-01 Shiseido Company,Limited “April 1, 2026: Shiseido Co., Ltd. 2026 Employee Welcome Ceremony Message (Summary) – Personnel.”
02
Apr
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-04-01 UBE Corporation “News release dated April 1, 2026: Summary of the 2026 UBE Corporation New Employee Welcome Ceremony Address.”
02
Apr
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-04-01 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “April 1, 2026 IR [Timely Disclosure] Notice Regarding the Status of Share Repurchases (PDF: 90.2KB).”
02
Apr
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-04-01 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “April 1, 2026: Other – A message from Satoshi Ichimura, President of Mitsui Chemicals, to new employees joining in 2026.”
02
Apr
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-04-01 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “April 1, 2026 – Other NEW: Summary of the 2026 New Employee Welcome Ceremony Address by Manabu Tsukimoto, President and Representative Director of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation.”
02
Apr
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-04-01 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “April 1, 2026 Management/Business: Mitsui Chemicals jointly develops the world's first bile continuous excretion device that replicates the function of the liver.”
02
Apr
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-04-01 Denka Company Limited “Announcement: Congratulatory message to new employees for the 2026 fiscal year.”
02
Apr
Nissan Chemical Corporation JP3670800006
2026-04-01 Nissan Chemical Corporation “President's address at the 2026 new employee orientation ceremony.”
02
Apr
TOSOH CORPORATION JP3595200001
2026-04-01 TOSOH CORPORATION “April 1, 2026 News Release: President's Address at the New Employee Welcome Ceremony.”