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- Yokohama Rubber Delivers EV Tires for Leapmotor SUV Feb. 20, 2025Yokohama Rubber has begun deliveries of Advan Sport EV tires for new vehicle installation (OE) on the Leapmotor C16, the new SUV launched in China in June 2024 by Chinese EV manufacturer Leapmotor. The tire sizes are 245/45R21 104V XL for the front and 255/45R21 106V XL for the rear. Based on the company’s Advan […]
- Yokohama Rubber to Supply Sustainable Racing Tires to All-Japan Super Formula Feb. 20, 2025Continuing from last season, Yokohama Rubber will supply Advan racing tires made from renewable and recycled materials to the All-Japan Super Formula Championship as control tires in 2025. This season’s tires will further increase the ratio of recycled and recyclable materials to approximately 46%, and will be supplied from the official test held on February […]
- Toyo Tires to Launch Proxes LuKII Premium Tire for Mini High Wagons Feb. 19, 2025Toyo Tires will launch in March in Japan the Proxes LuKII, a premium tire exclusively for mini high wagons. Part of the the Proxes global flagship tire brand, the new tire will be available in four sizes. It inherits the quietness, firmness, high quality comfort, and wear performance of the existing Tranpath LuK, while improving […]
- Bridgestone to Establish New Motorsports Management Structure Feb. 18, 2025Bridgestone has been taking the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of its motorsports activities in 2023 to strengthen its sustainable global motorsports activities. As part of this effort, the company will establish a new motorsports management structure by appointing a motorsports executive under the Global Chief Technology Officer (Executive Vice President) as of March 1, […]
- Denka Launches Snecton Low Dielectric Organic Insulating Resin Feb. 17, 2025Denka has launched Snecton, a low-dielectric organic insulating resin with electrical characteristics required of materials to reduce electrical signal loss in next-generation high-speed communications beyond 5G and 6G. In addition to the sales launch for copper clad laminates (CCL) of various high-speed telecommunications equipment, the product is now being considered for flexible copper clad laminates […]
- Kuraray to End Production of Kurarity Acrylic Block Copolymer Feb. 17, 2025Kuraray will discontinue production and sales of the acrylic block copolymer Kurarity at the end of June 2026. Since its commercialization in 2012, the business environment has remained severe. The company has determined that it will be difficult to secure earnings that will allow it to continue its business in the future and to continue […]
- Bridgestone Soft Robotics Ventures Debuts Moving Soft Robotics Using Tetote Feb. 14, 2025Soft Robotics Ventures, an in-house venture of Bridgestone Corporation, exhibited at RoboDex the “Tetote” soft robotic hand and the “Tetote and” hybrid hand with a suction pad. RoboDex is an exhibition held within the Factory Innovation Week 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight. Tetote is a soft robotic hand that uses Bridgestone’s rubber actuators. Using four […]
- Yokohama Rubber Begins Testing AI Tech to Determine Air Pressure Feb. 13, 2025Yokohama Rubber has developed a technology that uses AI to determine the air pressure status of truck and bus tires based on the sound of the tires hitting the ground, and has begun demonstration tests. In daily inspections of air pressure in truck and bus tires, hammering inspections are still the mainstream method because measuring […]
- New Michelin Primacy 5 to Go on Sale in March Feb. 12, 2025Michelin Japan has end of last year launched the new premium comfort tire Michelin Primacy 5, which will go on sale sequentially from March 1. The product is the successor to the Primacy 4+ and Primacy SUV+ models in the Michelin Primacy series. It is available in a total of 42 sizes ranging from 16 […]
- Toyo Tires Again Included in FTSE4Good Constituent Feb. 12, 2025Toyo Tires has been selected as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series, a leading global ESG investment index, for the sixth consecutive year. In addition, the company has been selected as a constituent of the FTSE Blossom Japan Index Series for Japanese companies since 2020 and of the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index […]
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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 […]
