Tag - chemicals

 
 

CHEMICALS

PFAS does not break down easily and remains in the body and the environment for a number of years, and is thus called “forever chemicals.”
JAPAN / Explainer
Mar 4, 2024
Japan’s food safety panel drafts intake limit for 'forever chemicals'
The report spells out the “tolerable daily intake” of PFAS through food for the first time. Here's what you need to know.
PFAS substances can be found in firefighter foam, outdoor gear, artificial turf, medical equipment and countless other products.
WORLD
Oct 21, 2023
‘Forever chemical’ bans face hard truth: Many can’t be replaced
As lawmakers around the world weigh bans of "forever chemicals,” many manufacturers are pushing back, saying there often is no substitute.
Fort Myers Beach during a high tide in Florida
ENVIRONMENT
Oct 2, 2023
A hidden climate danger threatens coastal communities
Rising sea levels could push contaminated groundwater to the surface, releasing toxic chemicals from contaminated areas nearby.
Mitsui, Japan's biggest ammonia importer, will conduct a joint study with three other companies on establishing a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain through the Osaka coastal industrial zone.
BUSINESS
Aug 30, 2023
Trading and energy firms tie up to study Osaka fuel supply chains
Hydrogen and ammonia, which do not emit carbon dioxide when burning, are an important part of Japan's energy security strategy.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Jun 28, 2023
Japan’s latest chip deal shows a savvy strategy shift
There’s reason to believe the $6 billion bid for JSR won’t repeat previous failures
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Science & Health
Jun 23, 2023
Chemical-maker Kao unveils new way to combat mosquitoes
Researchers found that spraying a solution that allows mosquitoes' wings to become wet can prevent them from flying and knock them out of the air.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 8, 2023
PFAS in western Tokyoites’ blood more than double national average
One expert has said that higher-than-normal readings are likely attributable to past contamination of drinking water in the area.
Japan Times
WORLD
Jun 3, 2023
Three makers of ‘forever chemicals’ settle water lawsuits in U.S.
The companies — Chemours, DuPont and Corteva — said they had reached an agreement in principle to set up a $1.19 billion fund to help remove toxic PFAS from drinking water systems.
JAPAN
May 28, 2023
Japan slowly wakes up to health risks of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
Residents in western Tokyo have been testing themselves to measure their exposure, with results showing levels of the chemicals that could bring long-term health risks.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 16, 2022
Top-performing Japan stock fund Arcus bets on metals and chemicals
The Arcus Japan Fund has beaten all of its peers this year, generating double digit returns even as they have averaged a loss of 7%.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 25, 2022
Japan’s petrochemical firms need to merge to survive, Mitsubishi Chemical CEO says
Jean-Marc Gilson compared the situation facing the chemical industry to other industries Japan once dominated, such as semiconductors and flat-screen televisions.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 9, 2021
Fujifilm says pivot to health care and chips paid off in pandemic
Over the past decade, Fujifilm parlayed its expertise in film and chemicals to move into medical diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing and supplying materials to chipmakers.
BUSINESS
Apr 30, 2021
'Where are the female managers?' Japan’s newest foreign CEO asks
Mitsubishi Chemical chief Jean-Marc Gilson says in the absence of government intervention, he'll push internally and actively promote women when faced with candidates of equal skill.
WORLD
Jul 25, 2019
'Ecological Chernobyl' looms at abandoned Siberian chemical factory, official warns
A Russian state official warned on Wednesday that an abandoned chemicals factory in Siberia could cause an environmental disaster akin to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident unless urgent action is taken to tackle it.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Jul 10, 2019
Japan, 'surprised' by South Korean response to export control, accuses Seoul of trying to make the issue about free trade
Japan was taken aback by the strong reaction from South Korea to its decision to tighten export controls on some chemicals, a senior foreign ministry official said.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health
Mar 22, 2019
Pollution danger mounts as toxic cloud paralyzes Houston's refinery row after four-day fire
Now that the four-day fire is out at a Houston-area chemical storage complex, the real danger has emerged.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan