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
01
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in officers and directors.”
01
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.”
01
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.”
01
Apr
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of registration of new share issuance by our subsidiary.”
01
Apr
Resonac Holdings Corporation JP3368000000
2026-03-31 Resonac Holdings Corporation “We will begin sponsoring a segment of the FM radio program "J-WAVE TOKYO MORNING RADIO" starting in April.”
01
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. .”
01
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~".”
01
Apr
KURARAY CO.,LTD. JP3269600007
2026-03-31 KURARAY CO.,LTD. “A new corporate commercial series featuring the comedy duo "Chidori," titled "Heartboiled Kuraray: A company that creates materials that excite the world," will begin airing on Wednesday, April 1st.”
31
Mar
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-03-30 UBE Corporation “News release dated March 30, 2026: Regarding the formulation of KPIs and targets for Nature Positive.”
31
Mar
UBE Corporation JP3158800007
2026-03-30 UBE Corporation “March 30, 2026 News Release: Development of recycled PE/PA material usable for food contact applications.”
31
Mar
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-03-30 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Announcement on 2026/03/30: Mitsubishi Chemical's initiatives were featured in Business Insider Japan.”
31
Mar
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation JP3897700005
2026-03-30 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation “Announcement 2026/03/30 NEW Web media "KAITEKI Solution Center" New article — The circular story depicted by polypropylene: 'Novaorbis™'.”
31
Mar
Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. JP3888300005
2026-03-30 Mitsui Chemicals,Inc. “March 30, 2026 Management & Business: Mitsui Chemicals takes its company-wide transformation, starting with a DX talent base, to the next stage.”
31
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Our company president, Mito, will be participating in a special dialogue at the "Intellectual Property and Management Symposium."”
31
Mar
Tokuyama Corporation JP3625000009
2026-03-30 Tokuyama Corporation “We held a factory tour for individual shareholders.”
31
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Lumus and Sumitomo Chemical begin licensing PMMA chemical recycling technology on a commercial scale – promoting global resource recycling of acrylic resins. .”
31
Mar
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. .”
31
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement regarding the Biondo® exhibit at "Health Expo 2026" [February 25th (Wed) – 27th (Fri) / Tokyo Big Sight].”
31
Mar
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".”
31
Mar
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® '~".”