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- Sumitomo Riko Develops Monilife Wellness Sleep Analysis Service May. 13, 2025Sumitomo Riko, a leading manufacturer of rubber products such as anti-vibration rubber, has developed a vital sensor called Monilife Wellness, which will be used in a sleep analysis and health checkup service set to launch in Tokyo. The service is a collaboration between Nine Hours, a capsule hotel operator offering sleep analysis services, and Kinki […]
- Sumitomo Rubber Completes Transaction to Acquire Dunlop Trademark Rights from Goodyear May. 13, 2025Sumitomo Rubber announced on May 8 that it completed on May 7 the acquisition of the Dunlop trademark and other rights for four-wheel tires in Europe, North America, and Oceania from The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Sumitomo Rubber paid $631 million for the trademark and contractual rights, as well as transition support costs related […]
- Yokohama Rubber Launches Eco Flame Retardant Conveyor Belt May. 12, 2025Yokohama Rubber has launched the Flame Guard Eco conveyor belt, an energy-saving enhancement to its well-received Flame Guard series of flame-retardant conveyor belts. Developed for coal transport lines in ports and thermal power plants where flame-retardant belts are required for fire prevention, Flame Guard Eco leverages technology from Yokohama Rubber’s Ecotex belt, which boasts world-class […]
- Mitsuboshi Belting Introduces New e-Power NX at Webinar May. 9, 2025Mitsuboshi Belting held a webinar to introduce its new and improved energy-saving V-belt, e-Power NX, providing a detailed explanation and implementation benefits of the new product launched on April 1. The company’s e-Power series is a power transmission belt that achieves energy savings by reducing power loss during belt operation. The e-Power NX is positioned […]
- CITEXPO Tire Exhibition to Take Place in Shanghai in September May. 8, 2025The 20th China International Tire Expo (CITEXPO) 2025 will be held in Shanghai on September 3 to 5, 2025. One of the largest tire trade shows in the Asia-Pacific region, CITEXPO is organized by Haifu International Exhibition Service and will take place at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in the city’s Pudong […]
- Shin-Etsu Polymer Reports Net Sales Up 6%: Full Year Results May. 7, 2025Silicone products manufacturer Shin-Etsu Polymer reported for the fiscal year ending March 2025 revenue of 110.58 billion yen ($737.21 million), up 5.9% year-on-year; operating profit of 13.27 billion yen, up 20.1%; ordinary profit of 13.22 billion yen, up 14.6%; and net profit of 9.43 billion yen, up 8.7%. By segment, the precision molded products business […]
- Rubber Belt Exports and Imports in 2024: Japan Belting Industry Association May. 2, 2025The Japan Belting Industry Association announced the 2024 import and export performance of rubber belts, compiled based on Ministry of Finance trade statistics. According to the data, export value was 48.35 billion yen ($340.24 million), up 6% from the previous year, and import value was 12.80 billion yen, up 11% from the previous year. Imports […]
- Toyo Tires Provides Electric Carts Fitted with Airless Tires for Expo 2025 May. 1, 2025Toyo Tires is providing electric carts equipped with airless tires under development as a participating supplier for the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai. To support the expo’s organizers, staff, and stakeholders in reducing travel time and improving efficiency within the venue, the company is supplying electric cart vehicles fitted with maintenance-free airless tires called “noair.” Five carts […]
- Sumitomo Rubber Artificial Turf Selected for Sumitomo Pavilion at Expo 2025 May. 1, 2025Sumitomo Rubber’s artificial turf Hybrid Turf EVO has been selected for use in the Sumitomo Pavilion at the Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai. The adopted artificial turf is a non-filled type that does not use infill materials such as rubber chips or sand. While infill is typically used to provide cushioning, this product achieves cushioning by incorporating […]
- Lanxess Holds Press Conference on Activities for 2025 Apr. 30, 2025The Japanese subsidiary of German specialty chemicals manufacturer Lanxess recently announced its 2024 business results and outlook for 2025. For fiscal 2024 results, profitability improved significantly due to higher factory utilization rates and cost reduction measures. Global net sales were down 5.0% year-on-year at 6.37 billion euro ($7.26 billion) due to lower selling prices on […]
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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 […]
