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- Showa Glove Opens Japan’s Largest Nitrile Rubber Glove Production Base Nov. 6, 2024Showa Glove has opened Sakaide Plant, the first and largest nitrile rubber glove production facility in Japan. Marking an investment of around 15 billion yen ($100 million), the main feature of the plant is the automation of all processes, from production to packaging, which had been considered difficult to achieve in the past. The site […]
- Report: Shadow of China’s Overproduction Spreads to Synthetic Rubber Nov. 5, 2024The impact of China’s overproduction, which has become a global problem for steel and commodity resins, is spreading to synthetic rubber as well. First in line are commodity synthetic rubber products for tires, but will it spread to other types of products as well? On October 25, Ube announced that it has resolved to dissolve […]
- Bridgestone Soft Robotics Ventures and Crafsto Collaborate to Launch Bags Nov. 1, 2024Bridgestone’s in-house venture Soft Robotics Ventures and the unisex fashion brand Crafsto have announced the launch of a triangle bag, a collaboration between the two companies. The bag’s handles are upcycled rubber actuators from Soft Robotics Ventures’ soft robotic hand Tetote. This is the first upcycling of the rubber actuators. Crafsto is a fashion brand […]
- Retread Tires at Core of Sustainability Efforts, Attracting Attention: Bridgestone Oct. 31, 2024In line with its mission of contributing to society with the highest quality, Bridgestone’s vision is to become a sustainable solutions company that continuously delivers social and customer value by 2050. To achieve carbon neutrality and 100% sustainable materials by that year, the company is promoting the establishment of a unique sustainability business model in […]
- Ishihara Packing Industry First to Install 5-Axis Water Jet in Kyushu Oct. 30, 2024Ishihara Packing Industry has installed a 5-axis waterjet machine manufactured by Kitagawa Iron Works at its sales office and factory in Kasuya Gun, Fukuoka Prefecture. “This makes us the first company in the rubber industry in the Kyushu area to do so,” the company said. In November 1994, Ishihara Packing Industry became the first rubber […]
- Toyoda Gosei Doubles Rubber Recycling Capacity Oct. 29, 2024Toyoda Gosei has doubled the production capacity of the recycling process at its Morimachi Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture in order to accelerate resource recycling of rubber used in automobiles. In the automotive industry, while recycling of resources such as steel and plastics is progressing, rubber products are difficult to recycle and most of them are […]
- Report: Rubber Sheet Manufacturers Set to Change Pricing Strategies Oct. 28, 2024Rubber sheet manufacturers are expected to change their pricing strategies. Until recently, they were prone to price wars due to mutual restraint, but from now on, they are expected not hesitate to revise their prices every year. The reason for this is the rapid rise in labor and other costs. Since these increases are expected […]
- Nitta Says Sales in Food Field Strongest in First Half Oct. 25, 2024Nitta’s sales of plastic belts in the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (April-September) are expected to increase in the high single digits year-on-year, largely in line with plans. Sales in the food field have been the strongest, with growth in sales to convenience stores for onigiri rice balls, prepared foods, […]
- Conveyor Belt Sales up on Strong Food Industry: Mitsuboshi Belting Oct. 24, 2024Mitsuboshi Belting’s sales of plastic conveyor belts in the first half of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (April-September) increased by a single digit year-on-year. “The growth was driven by the food industry, which has continued to be strong since the previous fiscal year. Sales of plastic conveyor belts for convenience stores, bakery, confectionery, […]
- Bando Chemical to Continue Focusing on Food and Logistics Fields Oct. 23, 2024Bando Chemical’s Japanese domestic sales revenue of plastic conveyor belts for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, increased year-on-year. For the full year, Bando will continue to focus on the food and logistics fields, aiming to increase sales and profits. In the food industry, the company will focus on expanding […]
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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 […]
