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- Hanwa Signs Basic Agreement with Thai Tire Chip Manufacturers Jul. 18, 2025Osaka-based trading company Hanwa has announced that its Thai subsidiary, Hanwa Thailand, has signed a basic agreement with Thai waste tire collection and tire chip manufacturing companies Pralan Energy and R&T (2018). The agreement covers the supply of tire chips, which will be promoted as an alternative to coal fuel both domestically and internationally. Around […]
- Sumitomo Rubber Develops Rubber Material Compatible with 3D Printing Jul. 17, 2025Sumitomo Rubber has developed a rubber material that can be processed using 3D printers. The company aims to commercialize the material for 3D printing applications by 2026 and will continue to advance its development. Traditionally, producing rubber products using 3D printers has been considered difficult. However, Sumitomo Rubber has succeeded in developing a proprietary material […]
- Bridgestone to Transfer Partial Stake in Bridgestone Logistics to SBS Holdings Jul. 16, 2025Bridgestone has announced that it has signed an agreement to transfer to SBS Holdings 66.6% of the shares in its wholly owned subsidiary Bridgestone Logistics. Through this partial transfer, Bridgestone aims to strengthen management resources and support the continued growth of Bridgestone Logistics. Bridgestone Logistics has been advancing initiatives to enhance the efficiency and sustainability […]
- Zeon Begins Construction of Japanese Pilot Plant to Produce Butadiene from Bio-Based Ethanol Jul. 15, 2025Zeon Corporation has begun construction of a pilot facility at its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to demonstrate technology that efficiently produces butadiene from ethanol derived from plant-based and other renewable sources. The new facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Zeon plans to use the butadiene produced at the site to […]
- Bridgestone Transfers Carbon Black Operations in Thailand to Tokai Carbon Jul. 14, 2025Bridgestone has signed an agreement to transfer ownership of its group company Bridgestone Carbon Black (Thailand) to Tokai Carbon and its Thai subsidiary, Thai Tokai Carbon Product. Bridgestone is restructuring its in-house carbon black operations by focusing on areas where collaboration with partners who possess specialized expertise, global networks, and resources can add value. Tokai […]
- ENEOS and Mitsubishi Chemical Complete Chemical Recycling Facility for Plastic-to-Oil Conversion Jul. 11, 2025ENEOS and Mitsubishi Chemical have completed the construction of a chemical recycling facility at Mitsubishi Chemical’s Ibaraki Plant in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The facility, which had been under development since July 2021, is designed to support the launch of a plastic-to-oil conversion business. The new facility uses supercritical water hydrolysis technology developed by UK-based […]
- Bando Deepens Core Business and Advances New Ventures: FY Results Jul. 10, 2025Bando Chemical reported steady growth in its transmission belt-related segments for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. In the automotive parts segment, the company posted revenue of 58.05 billion yen ($399.12 million), up 9.0% year-on-year, with segment operating profit rising 19.1% to 4.89 billion yen. In Japan, despite a decrease in overall vehicle production, […]
- Mitsuboshi Belting Says FY Sales Strong, Eyes to Expand Sustainable Belt Lineup Jul. 9, 2025Mitsuboshi Belting reported increased sales in its power transmission belt business for the fiscal year ending March 2025, driven by strong domestic and international performance. In Japan, demand in the automotive aftermarket—especially for replacement belts for trucks—was robust, while the industrial machinery sector saw growth due to increased production among manufacturers of injection molding machines […]
- CITEXPO 2025 to Be Held in Shanghai This September Jul. 8, 2025The 20th edition of the China International Tire Expo (CITEXPO 2025), the largest tire trade show in the Asia-Pacific region, will take place from September 3 to 5, 2025, at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center in Pudong, Shanghai. The event is organized by Reliable International Exhibition Services. CITEXPO is a leading B2B […]
- Bridgestone to Transfer 66.6% Stake in Bridgestone Logistics to SBS Holdings Jul. 8, 2025Bridgestone has signed an agreement to transfer 66.6% of the shares of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bridgestone Logistics, to SBS Holdings, a leading logistics group in Japan. The move is part of Bridgestone’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its global business structure and accelerate the foundation for growth with enhanced quality. In Japan, the company is […]
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Japan’s Political System
Japan is a large and firmly established democracy in form of a constitutional monarchy in Asia. Learn more
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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 […]
