Survey: 2024 Business Performance of 50 Rubber-Related Companies Oct. 15, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly conducted an independent survey between June and July on the fiscal 2024 business performance of rubber-related companies across Japan. The combined non-consolidated sales of the top 50 companies totaled 4.63 trillion yen ($30.37 billion), marking a 1.3% increase compared with the previous fiscal year. During fiscal 2020, the year most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, total sales […]
Toyo Tires Advances New Technology Framework THiiiNK Oct. 14, 2025. - Toyo Tires on October 2 announced its new technology framework “THiiiNK,” which represents an evolution of the company’s foundational tire design technologies through innovation and integration. The framework organizes and unites three core technologies: materials technology to meet next-generation lifestyle needs, simulation technology to deliver the high performance customers demand, and design technology to further enhance the balance between functionality […]
Survey: 2024 Business Performance of 50 Rubber-Related Companies Oct. 15, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly conducted an independent survey between June and July on the fiscal 2024 business performance of rubber-related companies across Japan. The combined non-consolidated sales of the top 50 companies totaled 4.63 trillion yen ($30.37 billion), marking a 1.3% increase compared with the previous fiscal year. During fiscal 2020, the year most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, total sales […]
VDMA President Bertram Kawlath Visits Japan Oct. 9, 2025. - The German association of German and European mechanical and plant engineering companies (VDMA) held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on September 22 to mark the visit of its president, Bertram Kawlath. Against the backdrop of intensifying global trade frictions, Kawlath emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Germany, Europe, and Japan. The VDMA, […]
Toyo Tires Advances New Technology Framework THiiiNK Oct. 14, 2025. - Toyo Tires on October 2 announced its new technology framework “THiiiNK,” which represents an evolution of the company’s foundational tire design technologies through innovation and integration. The framework organizes and unites three core technologies: materials technology to meet next-generation lifestyle needs, simulation technology to deliver the high performance customers demand, and design technology to further enhance the balance between functionality […]
Toyo Tires to Establish New R&D Center at Serbian Plant Oct. 6, 2025. - Toyo Tires has announced plans to build a new research and development facility within the premises of its Serbia Plant located in Inđija. The new facility will serve as the company’s European R&D Center and is scheduled to begin operations in January 2027. The total investment for the project amounts to approximately 5 billion yen ($33.26 million), and the center […]
Sumitomo Rubber Makes First Appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2025 Oct. 10, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber made its debut at the Tokyo Game Show 2025, held at Makuhari Messe from September 25 to 28, where it presented a sales booth for Dunlop’s eSports brand Gaming Muscle. The company exhibited a range of products that had previously been available exclusively through its online store, including arm supporters, posture-assist innerwear, and compression core-support tights. It also […]
Vertical Conveyor Performing Strongly: Yoshino Rubber Oct. 1, 2025. - Yoshino Rubber Industry supports a wide range of infrastructure sites, including power plants, steel mills, tunnel construction projects and sewage treatment plants. Among its key offerings is a unique vertical conveyor belt capable of efficiently transporting large volumes of material vertically. This flagship product is highly regarded in the market for its two-belt structure—consisting of a corrugated main conveyor belt […]
Kraton Raises Prices of Kraton D-Series SBS and Related Products Oct. 8, 2025. - Kraton Polymers Japan has increased the prices of domestically produced Kraton D-Series SBS, oil-extended SBS, and SIS by 34 yen ($0.23) per kilogram, effective with shipments on or after October 1. The company said that this price adjustment is necessary in light of continued cost increases since 2022, including expenses related to facility maintenance, logistics, packaging materials, and labor. Despite […]
Mitsui Chemicals Links R&D Closer to Business to Accelerate Innovation Oct. 7, 2025. - Mitsui Chemicals has implemented an organizational restructuring effective October 1 aimed at strengthening its research and development framework and accelerating product development. The company has separated its development divisions from the Research & Development Headquarters and reassigned them under the three designated growth areas—Mobility (including the Elastomers Business), Life & Healthcare, and ICT—so that each business division is now directly […]
Top Interview: President Tomio Ueno of Bando Chemical Sep. 2, 2025. - In an interview with Tomio Ueno, President of Bando Chemical, we discussed the company’s current business performance, the progress of its medium- to long-term management plan Creating New Value for the Future 1st Stage (CV-1), and the status of its overseas production bases. Regarding the situation overseas, Ueno explained that market conditions in Asia vary by country and timing. India, […]
Interview: Hideki Ogawa, President of Nishikawa Rubber Jan. 27, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly recently sat down for an interview with Hideki Ogawa, president of Nishikawa Rubber, to discuss the year ahead. “In 2025, we will continue to take on any challenge with elastic ideas,” Ogawa said. Also actively promoting the use of AI and automation, the company is on track to develop new products and technologies that are expected to […]
Toyoda Gosei Invests in Startup Aiming for Practical Nuclear Fusion Power Generation Jul. 30, 2025. - Toyoda Gosei has invested in Helical Fusion, a startup focused on commercializing nuclear fusion power generation, seen as a promising future energy source. Nuclear fusion power generates high-output energy from CO2-free nuclear reactions, using abundant fuel sources like deuterium found in seawater. Considered easier to control than nuclear fission used in traditional nuclear power, it is driving a global race […]
Sumitomo Rubber Develops Rubber Material Compatible with 3D Printing Jul. 17, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber has developed a rubber material that can be processed using 3D printers. The company aims to commercialize the material for 3D printing applications by 2026 and will continue to advance its development. Traditionally, producing rubber products using 3D printers has been considered difficult. However, Sumitomo Rubber has succeeded in developing a proprietary material with excellent resilience and high […]
Japan Glove Manufacturers Association Publishes 2024 Glove Sales Volumes Apr. 18, 2025. - According 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 billion pieces, up 6% and […]
CEMA Publishes Construction Machinery Demand Forecasts for Fiscal 2024 and 2025 Mar. 7, 2025. - The Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) recently released its construction machinery demand forecasts for fiscal 2024 (April 2024-March 2025) and fiscal 2025 (April 2025-March 2026). The forecasts were compiled based on a questionnaire survey conducted in January among 61 construction equipment manufacturers that are regular members of the association. According to the survey, in fiscal 2024, Japanese domestic shipments […]
