Sumitomo Rubber Addresses Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Health Management Jun. 27, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber is advancing its health management strategy with a core policy of enhancing three dimensions of health: physical, mental, and social well-being. The company aims to create a work environment where employees can fully demonstrate their abilities and find joy in their work. A key focus for the company is addressing presenteeism and absenteeism. Presenteeism refers to situations where […]
Japan Society of Seismic Isolation Releases Latest Statistics Jun. 26, 2025. - The Japan Society of Seismic Isolation has released its latest statistics on seismically isolated buildings. According to the report, the total number of planned seismically isolated buildings from 1985 through the end of 2023 reached 5,649 buildings, an increase of 119 from the end of 2022. The number of planned buildings typically surges following major earthquakes, but the pace of […]
Japan Society of Seismic Isolation Releases Latest Statistics Jun. 26, 2025. - The Japan Society of Seismic Isolation has released its latest statistics on seismically isolated buildings. According to the report, the total number of planned seismically isolated buildings from 1985 through the end of 2023 reached 5,649 buildings, an increase of 119 from the end of 2022. The number of planned buildings typically surges following major earthquakes, but the pace of […]
Sumitomo Rubber Presents DE&I Initiatives at Public Symposium 2025 Jun. 24, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber in June participated as a special member in the “Public Symposium 2025” organized by the Kyoto University Communication Design and DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Consortium. The event took place at the International Exchange Hall of Kyoto University’s Centennial Clock Tower Memorial Hall. During the poster session, Sumitomo Rubber introduced its initiatives under the theme of “How to […]
Sumitomo Rubber Addresses Presenteeism and Absenteeism: Health Management Jun. 27, 2025. - Sumitomo Rubber is advancing its health management strategy with a core policy of enhancing three dimensions of health: physical, mental, and social well-being. The company aims to create a work environment where employees can fully demonstrate their abilities and find joy in their work. A key focus for the company is addressing presenteeism and absenteeism. Presenteeism refers to situations where […]
Bridgestone Launches Full-Scale Tire-to-Tire Recycling Jun. 23, 2025. - Bridgestone has recently unveiled its latest initiatives for advancing tire-to-tire recycling. The company publicly introduced its precision pyrolysis demonstration unit, a core technology in its chemical recycling efforts, for the first time. Recovered materials such as recycled carbon black and pyrolysis oil were also showcased. Bridgestone outlined its resource circulation vision toward 2050 and detailed its roadmap to achieve it. […]
Fujikura Composite Unveils 7th Mid-Term Management Plan Jun. 25, 2025. - Fujikura Composite announced its 7th Mid-Term Management Plan, covering the three years starting from fiscal 2025, at its financial results briefing for fiscal 2024 (ended March 31, 2025). The New Medium-Term Management Plan promotes the four pillars strengthening earning power, new growth strategy, shareholder return policy, and improving communication with investors. Over the three-year period from fiscal 2025 to fiscal […]
Fuji Latex Forecasts Revenue Growth for First Time in Four Years Jun. 20, 2025. - Fuji Latex reported its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 2025, with net sales of 7.19 billion yen ($49.68 million), down 4.1% year-on-year, and operating profit of 208 million yen, down 52.6%. Ordinary profit fell by 55.3% to 170 million yen, while net profit increased by 2.9% to 298 million yen. This marked the third consecutive year of […]
Tosoh to Expand Japanese Chloroprene Rubber Production Capacity Jun. 17, 2025. - Tosoh has decided to expand its chloroprene rubber (CR) production capacity, investing approximately 75 billion yen ($520 million) to build a second CR plant at its Nanyo Complex in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The new facility will increase annual production capacity by 22,000 tons, bringing Tosoh’s total CR supply capacity to 59,000 tons, combined with the existing 37,000-ton capacity. Construction […]
Zeon to Begin Production of High-Performance S-SBR in Singapore Jun. 9, 2025. - Zeon has introduced new production facilities for high-performance grades of S-SBR, primarily used in fuel-efficient tires, at its subsidiary Zeon Chemicals Singapore (ZCS) located on Jurong Island. Together with its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, the company aims to strengthen its dual production and supply system. Construction of the new facilities for high-performance grades at ZCS has been […]
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 […]
Interview: Toyohiro Hagiwara, Vice President, Gates Unitta Asia Jan. 24, 2025. - Japan Rubber Weekly sat down for an interview with Toyohiro Hagiwara, vice president of Gates Unitta Asia (GUA), to talk about business and the year ahead. “In the automotive field, we will expand the use of our products in commercial vehicles and respond to new types of mobility, such as EVs and electric motorcycles. In general industrial applications, we see […]
Zeon Establishes New Research Facility in Japan Jun. 18, 2025. - Zeon has established a new research facility at its Zeon Chemicals Yonezawa site in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, to develop manufacturing processes for plant-based raw materials. The two-story building has a total floor area of 590.34 square meters. The facility will advance biotechnology development for producing butadiene and isoprene, key raw materials for synthetic rubber, directly from plant sources, aiming […]
Tosoh Develops World’s First Bio-Based Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene Rubber Jun. 11, 2025. - Tosoh has developed a bio-based chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) rubber marketed under its Toso-CSM brand, and established mass production technology. This marks the world’s first development of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene product utilizing bio-based materials. Toso-CSM is widely used in industrial products, adhesives, rubber-coated fabrics, and handrails. Known for its high durability, it contributes to the extended lifespan of products and has […]
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 […]
