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- Yokohama Rubber to Close Off-Highway Tire Plant in Israel Nov. 20, 2024Yokohama Rubber has decided to close the plant of Alliance Tire, its subsidiary in Israel that produces and sells off-highway tires (OHT), including tires for agricultural machinery, at the end of December. The plant is one of more than 30 production bases that Yokohama Rubber operates globally and has been in operation for more than […]
- Bridgestone to Increase Production Capacity at Indian Plants Nov. 19, 2024Bridgestone India will increase the production capacity of premium passenger car tires at its Pune and Indore plants. The investment will be around $85 million and will begin in phases starting at the beginning of 2025. The Pune plant will increase its annual production capacity by approximately 1.1 million tires by 2029, and the Indore […]
- Influx of Low-priced Asian Tires Affects North American Market: Report Nov. 18, 2024Bridgestone, Sumitomo Rubber, Yokohama Rubber and Toyo Tires have released their nine months (January-September) financial results for fiscal 2024. While some companies achieved record-high performance in the same period, partly due to the effect of yen depreciation, the North American market, which is in a sense a dollar box for Japanese, European, and U.S. tire […]
- NOK Posts Increasing Sales and Profits in First Half Nov. 15, 2024NOK announced that for the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, net sales were 393.67 billion yen ($2.56 billion), up 11.1% year-on-year, operating income was 19.08 billion yen, up 292.4%, ordinary income was 21.12 billion yen, up 28.8%, and net income was 13.60 billion yen, up 11.7%. “Both sales and […]
- Nitta Says Sales Stable in First Half, Maintains Forecast Nov. 14, 2024Nitta announced a 1.3% year-on-year increase in net sales to 44.36 billion yen ($288.40 million), a 1.5% increase in operating income to 2.56 billion yen, a 16.5% increase in ordinary income to 7.25 billion yen, and a 16.3% increase in net income to 5.83 billion yen for the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year […]
- Tosoh Posts First Half Results, Chloroprene Rubber Sales Up Nov. 13, 2024Tosoh reported for the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, net sales of 527.62 billion yen ($3.43 billion), up 8.6% year-on-year; operating income of 47.39 billion yen, up 47.6%; ordinary income of 45.11 billion yen, up 1.6%; and net income of 24.94 billion yen, down 6.6%. Among the segments, the […]
- Ube Says Sales up, Profits Down in First Half Nov. 12, 2024Ube announced its business results for the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year ending March 2025, with net sales of 243.04 billion yen ($1.58 billion), up 11.4% year-on-year; operating income of 6.05 billion yen, up 15.9%; ordinary income of 1,90 billion yen, down 83.2%; and net income of 318 million yen, down 96.5%. Sales […]
- Asahi Kasei Records Higher Sales and Profits in First Half Nov. 12, 2024Asahi Kasei reported that its sales for the first half (April-September) of the fiscal year ending March 2025 totaled 1.49 trillion yen ($9.68 billion), up 10.7% year-on-year; operating income was 108.92 billion yen, up 94.9%; ordinary income was 103.71 billion yen, up 99.2%; and net income was 60.25 billion yen, up 95.3%. The environmental solutions […]
- ISO/TC45 to Respond to Environmental Challenges Nov. 11, 2024The establishment of a subcommittee on the environment in ISO/TC45 is gaining momentum. The Working Group 16 (Environmental Aspects) has been dealing with environmental issues for a long time. However, with the rubber industry actively working to achieve material recycling on a global scale, the working group is scheduled to be upgraded one level higher […]
- Bridgestone Signs Collaboration Agreement to Develop Tires for Lunar Exploration Vehicles Nov. 8, 2024Bridgestone has signed a collaboration agreement with Astrobotic Technology to develop tires for lunar rover vehicles. Working on research and development of tires for lunar rovers since 2019, the company has developed first and second-generation tire concept models and has conducted a series of ground driving tests and simulations. Astrobotic is a leading space exploration […]
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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 […]
