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- Zeon and Visolis Complete Commercialization Study for Bio-Isoprene Monomers and Sustainable Aviation Fuel Apr. 24, 2025Zeon and U.S.-based Visolis have completed a feasibility study for the commercialization of bio-isoprene monomers and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as outlined in their March 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The companies have decided to move to the next stage, preparing for the construction of production facilities. The production facilities will use intermediate products from […]
- Kuraray Obtains ISCC PLUS Certification in America and Europe Apr. 23, 2025Kuraray has obtained ISCC PLUS certification, an international certification system for sustainable products, for six vinyl acetate-related products at four group companies and four production facilities in the U.S. and Europe by October 2024. The company has established a certified supply chain between Europe and the United States, starting with vinyl acetate (VAM) produced at […]
- Sumitomo Rubber Launches Sustainable Hydrogen Production Apr. 22, 2025Sumitomo Rubber in April began full-scale operation of the Yamanashi Model P2G System, a hydrogen production system derived from renewable energy, at its Shirakawa Plant in Fukushima Prefecture, a major tire manufacturing base. With this, the company has established a two-fold system that enables the production of hydrogen within the plant in addition to the […]
- Toyo Tires to Sponsor Four LPGA Tournaments Apr. 21, 2025Toyo Tires will sponsor four major tournaments of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Tour organized by the Ladies Professional Golf Association of America): the Chevron Championship, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the Amundi Evian Championship, and the AIG British Women’s Open. LPGA Major Tournament is the collective name for five prestigious tournaments that are positioned […]
- Bridgestone Receives Industrial Property Rights Award Apr. 21, 2025On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of Japan’s industrial property rights system, Bridgestone was presented with the 2025 Prime Minister’s Certificate of Appreciation as a company that has made extremely significant contributions and achievements in the diffusion and development of the industrial property rights system. Industrial property rights are the collective […]
- Japan Glove Manufacturers Association Publishes 2024 Glove Sales Volumes Apr. 18, 2025According to the 2024 Japanese domestic glove sales volume statistics compiled by the Japan Glove Manufacturers Association, household glove sales reached 73.253 million pairs, down 1% year-on-year, nearly flat. Nitrile gloves alone grew by 14%, but cautious buying due to a sluggish market continued to suppress demand post-COVID. Ultra-thin gloves (excluding medical use) totaled 5.405 […]
- Zeon Launches Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port Apr. 17, 2025Zeon has designated its Kawasaki Factory and Comprehensive Development Center, located in the Kawasaki coastal area of Kanagawa Prefecture, as the Kawasaki Innovation Frontier Port (KIFP) and has begun operations. By integrating the two organizations and gradually unifying management functions for seamless collaboration, KIFP aims to accelerate the creation of new value. The adjacent Kawasaki […]
- Asahi Kasei Announces New Medium-Term Management Plan Apr. 16, 2025Asahi Kasei announced the outline of its new medium-term management plan, “Trailblaze Together,” starting this fiscal year. The plan focuses on three core principles: Profit growth through investment outcomes, capital efficiency improvement via structural transformation and productivity gains, and evolution of “Diversity × Specialty.” Performance targets for the final year, fiscal 2027 ending March, are […]
- Osaka Exchange to List Shanghai Natural Rubber Futures Apr. 15, 2025The Osaka Exchange (OSE) will list “Shanghai Natural Rubber Futures,” a cash-settled futures contract based on natural rubber (RU) futures listed on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE), on May 26. This marks the first time a Chinese commodity will be listed on derivative markets in the U.S., Europe, and Asia’s global markets. The listing is […]
- Nitta launches Phase 2 of Shift2030 Management Plan Apr. 14, 2025Belt, hose and tube manufacturer Nitta has launched Phase 2 of its medium- to long-term management plan Shift2030, covering fiscal years 2025–2027. The growth strategy, centered on manufacturing, focuses on strengthening existing businesses and exploring new ones, accelerating global expansion with North America and India as key markets, and aiming for consolidated sales exceeding 1 […]
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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 […]
