Shinetsu Chemicals

#ShinetsuChemicals

“Shin’etsu” refers to both a geographical region in Japan and the name inspiration for Shin-Etsu Chemical, a major Japanese company.

1. Shin’etsu Region (信越地方)

Located in central Honshu, it merges the old provinces Shinano (modern Nagano) and Echigo (modern Niigata), also including Sado Island .

This area is renowned for its mountainous terrain, on-site ski resorts, hot springs, and stunning nature parks like Shin’etsu Shizenkyo, spanning northern Nagano and southern Niigata .

A popular long-distance hike, the Shin-etsu Trail, runs about 80–110 km along the Nagano–Niigata border, nestled through old-growth beech forests and mountain villages .

The region is well-connected: served by the Shin’etsu Main Line railway and Hokuriku/Shinetsu Shinkansen bullet trains, facilitating easy travel to ski resorts and scenic towns .

2. Shin-Etsu Chemical (信越化学工業)

Founded in 1926 as Shin-Etsu Nitrogenous Fertilizer in the Shin’etsu region (Naoetsu, Niigata), later evolving into one of Japan’s largest chemical companies .

Today, it’s a TOPIX Core 30 and Nikkei 225 constituent, generating over $21 billion in revenue and boasting a workforce of around 26,000 .

It holds global leadership in PVC, semiconductor silicon wafers, photomask substrates, and specialty silicones, with operations spanning 16 countries .

Recently announced a ¥83 billion (US $545 m) investment in a Gunma prefecture chip-material plant, to be completed by 2026 .

Quick Comparison

Aspect Shin’etsu Region Shin‑Etsu Chemical (Company)

Name origin Shinano + Echigo provinces Founded in Shin’etsu region

Location Nagano & Niigata prefectures (+ Sado) Headquartered in Tokyo, plants in Shin’etsu

Features Mountains, trails, snow, hot springs Chemicals, electronics, semiconductors

Notable highlights Shin-etsu Trail, Shin’etsu Main Line Global market leader, major investments

Business & Industry: Dive deeper into Shin-Etsu Chemical’s products like silicones, semiconductors, and their global footprint.