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
02
Apr
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-04-01 Tokuyama Corporation “Summary of the 2026 New Employee Welcome Ceremony Address.”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube video titled "Sumika no Mikata ~[Pioneering the Future of Materials] Connecting Natural Materials and People with Information: ' Biondo® '~".”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Participating in the "GCNJ Summit 2026 – Fairness at work and home -" – We endorse the realization of "fair working conditions" and declare our company's actions. .”
02
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 Operators."”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding the integration of our French subsidiary to further expand our European pesticide-related business.”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Selected as an "Environmentally Sustainable Company" by the Ministry of the Environment's "ESG Finance Awards Japan".”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding organizational changes.”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement regarding the presentation of Biondo® at the "Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry 2026 Kyoto Conference".”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in officers and directors.”
02
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.”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of registration of new share issuance by our subsidiary.”
02
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~".”
02
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.”
02
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).”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “New biostimulant "Nobitec® " now available in Japan – Improves crop growth and yield by promoting photosynthesis and enhancing heat tolerance. .”
02
Apr
ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION JP3111200006
2026-04-01 ASAHI KASEI CORPORATION “Notice regarding the status of share buybacks (133.6KB).”
02
Apr
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-04-01 Resonac Holdings Corporation “Let's create value that only humans can provide, centered on our purpose and values. ~Message from Resonac CEO Hidehito Takahashi at the New Employee Welcome Ceremony~”
02
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Summary of President Nobuaki Mito's address at the new employee orientation ceremony.”
02
Apr
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-04-01 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “President's address at the 2026 new employee orientation ceremony.”
02
Apr
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-04-01 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “We will be exhibiting at ChinaPlus 2026, Asia's largest plastics and rubber trade show.”