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
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube content called "Sumika no Mikata – [Paving the way for the future of materials] Biondo® connects people with natural materials through information."”
13
Mar
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.”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding the integration of French subsidiaries to further expand the European crop protection business.”
13
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."”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding organizational reform.”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of the introduction of Biondo® at the 2026 Kyoto Conference of the Agricultural Chemical Society of Japan.”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice of shelf registration regarding the issuance of new shares by our subsidiary.”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Regarding changes in officers and directors.”
13
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Certified as one of the "2026 Health and Productivity Management Excellent Corporations (Large Corporation Category) White 500" for the ninth consecutive year.”
13
Mar
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.”
12
Mar
Denka Company Limited JP3549600009
2026-03-11 Denka Company Limited “Notice: Price revision of "Polyvinyl Alcohol".”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Lumas and Sumitomo Chemical Begin Commercial-Scale Licensing of PMMA Chemical Recycling Technology – Promoting acrylic resin resource recycling globally – .”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Our company president, Mr. Mito, will be giving a special talk at the "Intellectual Property and Management Symposium."”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Notice regarding the recording of extraordinary losses (loss on valuation of shares of affiliated companies) in individual financial statements.”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Participating in "GCNJ Summit 2026 -Fairness at work and home-" ~Supporting the realization of "fair working practices" and declaring our own actions~ .”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of Biondo® exhibition at Health Expo 2026 [February 25th (Wed) – 27th (Fri) / Tokyo Big Sight].”
12
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."”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “We have released a YouTube content called "Sumika no Mikata – [Paving the way for the future of materials] Biondo® connects people with natural materials through information."”
12
Mar
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED JP3401400001
SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY,LIMITED “Announcement of the introduction of Biondo® at the 2026 Kyoto Conference of the Agricultural Chemical Society of Japan.”
12
Mar
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.”