The Japanese tire labeling system for defining fuel-efficient tires began in January 2010 as a voluntary industry standard, covering rolling resistance and wet-grip performance. Thanks to the continuous marketing efforts of tire manufacturers, the penetration rate of fuel-efficient tires in line with the grading system has steadily grown. However, these same manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to differentiate their...
sumitomo rubber
Amid Limelight on China, Japanese Rubber Industry Quietly Continues Expansion Into Europe
The period since the 1960s has seen a spurt of overseas expansion from Japanese companies involved in the rubber industry. This expansion has followed through from moving into Korea and Southeast Asia, centering on Taiwan, in the 1970s to North America in the 1980s and, since 2000, through into China and the ASEAN region. Recently, momentum has been gaining also...
Tokyo Motorcycle Show Largest Ever, Over 120 Companies Exhibiting
The latest Tokyo Motorcycle Show gathered 121 companies, exhibiting the latest production and custom models, parts and apparel. Japan’s largest motorcycle-related event, this year’s show is aimed at changing motorcycling from a sport for grownups to an activity parents and children can easily approach together. Bridgestone Corp. (TYO:5108) showed off the tire maker’s premium BATTLAX brand concept, emphasizing its theme...
Japan Rubber Workers Union Confederation Negotiates 1,010 Yen Pay Scale Increase
The settlement results for labor force wages and annual bonuses have started to come out from the “spring offensive” negotiations in Japan. The Japanese Rubber Workers Union Confederation is comprised of 58 member unions. Forty-eight of those put forth wage demands to the companies of the unions’ respective labor forces, from which 20 unions have reached conclusions. Regarding annual bonuses, 45...
Sumitomo Rubber Sees Bright Outlook for Infrastructure Business
Infrastructure products from Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd. (TYO:5110) are garnering attention. The company is positioning three areas of its Hybrid Business Division—flooring materials, civil works and marine facilities and sports facilities—as infrastructure products. Inorganic poured floors represent a flagship product in the company’s flooring materials. The product has a strong track record with installations in a wide variety of factories...
Japan’s Rubber Unions Scale Back Spring Offensive Wage Demands
The Japanese Rubber Workers Union Confederation (JRWUC) has largely completed its spring labor offensive, and unions have submitted wage demands at most large rubber manufacturers. According to the JRWUC, 45 out of 58 unions have submitted their wage demands, and despite discrepancies between sectors such as tires, automobile parts, and industrial goods, wage increase demands are trending downward from the...