Japanese manufacturers surge as semiconductor supply chain beneficiaries of AI boom

Japanese companies Toto, Nittobo, and Ajinomoto have seen shares gain 78 percent, 63 percent, and 61 percent respectively this year, riding the AI supply chain expansion. Toto manufactures ceramic electrostatic chucks used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, while Nittobo supplies advanced glass fiber for semiconductor package substrates. Ajinomoto produces advanced materials known as build-up film used in high-performance chip packaging. All three companies reported sharp growth in semiconductor-related business segments for their fiscal years ended March 31.