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- Special Feature on Current Status of Synthetic Rubber: Denka Jan. 10, 2025Denka’s chloroprene rubber (CR) business in the first half (April-September) of fiscal 2024 “did not recover as much as expected due to the impact of the global economic downturn on sales for automotive parts and general industrial products,” the company said. Although overall conditions were harsh, inquiries for latex for gloves increased from the latter half […]
- Special Feature on Current Status of Synthetic Rubber: Asahi Kasei Jan. 9, 2025Asahi Kasei’s synthetic rubber business posted higher sales and profits in the first half (April-September) of fiscal 2024, exceeding the company’s plan. In addition to generally firm sales volumes, a favorable turnaround in the external environment, including a weaker yen and high butadiene market prices, also contributed to the increase in sales and profit. Solution-polymerized […]
- Special Feature on Current Status of Synthetic Rubber: Osaka Soda Jan. 8, 2025Osaka Soda’s synthetic rubber business posted higher sales and profits in the first half (April-September) of fiscal 2024. Although automobile production, the main source of demand, was sluggish, the company benefited from a generally high export ratio and a tailwind from the weak yen and other factors. The epichlorohydrin rubber (ECO) business was affected by […]
- Special Feature on Current Status of Synthetic Rubber: Tosoh Jan. 7, 2025Tosoh’s chloroprene rubber (CR) business in the first half of fiscal 2024 (April-September) posted higher sales and profits on the back of positive overall sales volume. Although Japanese domestic sales increased slightly, exports grew and drove overall sales, while production remained at high capacity. “Dry bulk carriers were worse than expected in 2023, but after […]
- Special Feature on Current Status of Synthetic Rubber: Zeon Jan. 6, 2025In the first half (April-September) of fiscal 2024, Zeon’s elastomer materials division posted sales of 120.65 billion yen ($764.68 million), up 15.2% year-on-year, and operating profit of 6.01 billion yen, up 65.0%. Synthetic rubber shipments were up 1%. In general-purpose synthetic rubber, sales of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (S-SBR) were strong as demand recovered. Meanwhile, emulsion-polymerized […]
- Japan Belting Industry Association Releases Demand Forecast for 2024 and 2025 Dec. 20, 2024The Japan Belting Industry Association has released its demand forecasts for rubber and plastic belts for the years 2024 and 2025. According to the report, rubber belt production in 2024 is expected to be 17,651 tons, down 9% from the previous year, and rubber belt demand in 2025 is forecast to be 17,402 tons, down […]
- Eneos Materials Takes Full Control of Hungarian SSBR JV Dec. 19, 2024Eneos Materials will make Eneos MOL Synthetic Rubber (EMSR), a Hungarian consolidated subsidiary that manufactures and sells solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), into its wholly owned subsidiary by acquiring all shares held by the MOL Group (MOL). MOL, as a shareholder of EMSR, has been primarily responsible for supplying raw materials, utilities and various services to […]
- JATMA Publishes Demand Forecast for Automobile Tires in 2024 and 2025 Dec. 19, 2024The Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) has announced its forecast for Japanese domestic demand for automobile tires in 2024 and 2025. According to the report, total demand in 2024 is expected to be 102,768,000 tires, down 4% from 2023, as demand for all tire types for new vehicles, replacement tires, and motorcycles are seen […]
- Toyo Tires CEO Shimizu Holds Year-End Press Conference Dec. 18, 2024Takashi Shimizu, President & CEO of Toyo Tires, recently spoke at a year end press conference. “Looking back on 2024, we need to maintain a strong awareness of our origins, continue to reform, and make full use of the flexibility and suppleness that are characteristic of our company. For 2025, we will strive to return […]
- Yokohama Rubber Launches New Flame Retardant and Oil-Resistant Conveyor Belt Dec. 17, 2024Yokohama Rubber MB Japan, a Japanese domestic industrial products sales company of Yokohama Rubber, has released a product with excellent flame retardant and oil resistance from its original brand Criterion steep inclined conveyor belt series Z (Zeta). This product is a conveyor belt that combines a special shape that enables conveyance at steep inclines and […]
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Japan’s Political System
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Japan’s Chemical Industry
People often do not realize that almost everything they touch in daily life originates in the chemical industry. The Japanese chemical industry is the third largest in the world. And it is the second largest manufacturing industry in Japan. Learn more
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Japan’s Automotive Industry
Japan is one of the most important auto-making countries in the world. Brands like Toyota, Honda or Suzuki are household names worldwide. Learn more
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Japan’s Machinery Industry
Japan has one of the most important industrial machinery industries in the world. It is home to a broad range of famous brands, globally renowned for their history and high quality. Learn more
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Japan’s Rubber Industry
Tires, cars, or buildings: Modern life is unthinkable without rubber. And Japan boasts one of the most developed rubber industries worldwide. Learn more
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Japan’s Newspaper Structure
Most people in the West are familiar with 3-tiered newspaper structures. Japan’s 5-tier system is more differentiated. Learn more
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Fujitsu Tests AI Customer Service Solution in Japanese Supermarket Aug. 7, 2023. - Fujitsu has begun testing an innovative AI module in a Japanese supermarket that generates AI avatars and tailors promotional content based on consumer behavior. The field trial, run in collaboration with the Retail AI Institute, is taking place from August 3 to October 15 at Aruk Mitajiri stores operated by supermarket chain Marukyu in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. This […]
Global Trade Suffers Amid Fragmentation, Warns JETRO 2023 Report Aug. 4, 2023. - According to the World Trade and Investment Report 2023 by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), global trade is faltering due to a myriad of international conflicts and geopolitical risks. The report indicates that enduring tension in Ukraine, an uptick in trade restrictive measures, and the uncertain relationship between the U.S. and China are undermining the principles of free trade. […]Japan and Germany Co-Develop Standard for Automated Valet Parking Aug. 3, 2023. - In a significant step towards efficient urban mobility, an international standard for “automatic valet parking” co-developed by Japan and Germany has been officially issued. This system leverages autonomous vehicle technology to navigate vehicles into parking spaces in large facilities, improving utilization of parking space and user convenience, reducing accidents, and cutting CO2 emissions. Large complexes, shopping malls, theme parks, and […]
Yokohama Spearheads Japan’s First Waste-to-Energy CO2 Capture Demonstration Experiment Aug. 2, 2023. - The City of Yokohama, Tokyo Gas, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and MHI Environmental & Chemical Engineering (MHIEC) have launched a pioneering demonstration experiment aimed at capturing and utilizing CO2 emissions from a local waste-to-energy plant. The project, based in Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, is the first of its kind in Japan and involves the separation and capture of CO2 from plant flue […]Mitsui Chemicals Spearheads Development of Advanced Carbon-Neutral Naphtha Cracking Tech Aug. 1, 2023. - In an ambitious move towards carbon neutrality, Mitsui Chemicals has partnered with Microwave Chemical and Chiyoda Corporation to develop a pioneering naphtha cracking technology, the M-Cracker. The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) adopted this initiative under its program for advancing research, development and social implementation of energy-saving technologies to realize a decarbonized society. Japan’s petrochemical industry annually […]
Japan’s Cabinet Greenlights Strategy for Decarbonized, Growth-Centric Economy Aug. 1, 2023. - In a bid to promote energy stability amid ongoing global challenges and to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, the Japanese Cabinet approved the “Strategy for Promoting the Transition to a Decarbonized Growth-Oriented Economic Structure” (GX Promotion Strategy) on July 28. This approval follows the enactment of several key policies earlier this year, including the “GX Promotion Law” and […]
Japan’s METI Launches Committee to Accelerate Generative AI Development Jul. 31, 2023. - The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has formed an expert committee to propel the development of generative AI technology. The initiative aims to establish a support scheme for companies developing competitive base models in the fast-evolving field of generative AI. This advanced technology is predicted to have a transformative impact on industrial activities and daily life, tackling social […]
New Series of Japanese Bank Notes to Launch in July 2024 Jul. 28, 2023. - The Japanese Ministry of Finance has announced that the new series of Bank of Japan notes, designed to strengthen anti-counterfeiting measures, will start circulating in the first half of July 2024. The initiative follows the decision made by the Ministry in April 2019 to produce a new series of notes to enhance the country’s ability to prevent counterfeiting and fraud. […]
Toyota Breaks Ground on Tokyo’s Next-Gen Sports Complex, Set for Fall 2025 Opening Jul. 26, 2023. - Toyota Motor, Toyota Fudosan, and Toyota Alvark Tokyo announced the groundbreaking for the construction of the highly-anticipated Tokyo A-Arena in the Odaiba Aomi area. Toyota Fudosan hosted the ceremony to commemorate the start of this ambitious project. Expected to be completed in June 2025, the arena aims to begin operations in the fall of the same year. Situated on the […]
Mitsui Chemicals Targets Global Leadership in Pellicle Manufacturing Jul. 25, 2023. - Mitsui Chemicals has announced the inauguration of its new affiliate, Mitsui Chemicals EMS Corp., which started operations on July 1, 2023. The newly established company is built on the pellicle business acquired from Asahi Kasei. As a leading provider of FPD pellicles, used in the LCD panel exposure process, this business has established a strong market presence. The company also […]
Japan Heralds New Era of Solar Power with Launch of Grid-Scale Battery System Jul. 24, 2023. - NTT Anode Energy Corporation, Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden), and Mitsubishi Corporation officially started operations of a 1.4 MW / 4.2MWh grid-scale battery storage system in Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s journey toward renewable energy. The implementation of this system is expected to boost the country’s use of solar power by minimizing the necessity for solar […]
Toyo Ink Unveils Nano-Silver Sintering Paste for Enhanced Power Die Bonding Jul. 21, 2023. - Toyo Ink SC Holdings, the parent company of specialty chemicals firm Toyo Ink Group, has developed a silver nanoparticle paste for die-attach applications. This lead-free material is engineered to meet the needs of next-generation power electronics, capable of sintering at low temperatures under both pressureless and pressure-assisted methods. The silver nanoparticle paste, born from the company’s Corporate R&D Division, caters […]Denso to Negotiate Transfer of Combustion Engine Parts Operations to Niterra Jul. 19, 2023. - Automotive parts supplier Denso has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to negotiate the transfer of certain internal combustion engine parts operations to Niterra. The move comes as the automotive industry accelerates its shift toward electrification in the push for carbon neutrality. The sector continues to develop internal combustion engines, accounting for regional and country-specific energy situations and fuel usage. […]
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Bags Order for LNG Systems from Imabari Shipbuilding Jul. 17, 2023. - Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a Yokohama-based subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, has secured an order for 12 units of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel gas supply system (FGSS) from Imabari Shipbuilding. The order includes high-pressure systems for nine LNG-fueled car carriers and three bulk carriers. The units are set to contribute significantly to the decarbonization of the marine environment with a […]Fujitsu and IHI Collaborate on Blockchain Project for Environmental Value Exchange Market Jul. 12, 2023. - Fujitsu and IHI Corporation have made significant progress in their joint project, which aims to contribute to carbon neutrality and establish an environmental value distribution platform supporting environmental value transactions. The project, initiated in fiscal year 2022, focuses on simplifying the environmental value creation process and preparing for the issuance of J-Credit, a carbon credit system. Under the initiative named […]
