Japan's Kao, Ajinomoto boost chip material operations on AI demand

Consumer-facing companies leverage unique tech to make cleansers, films

Kao started operations at a cleaning agent development center in its Taiwanese subsidiary's research facility this month. (Kao)

TOKYO -- Japanese consumer goods manufacturers like Kao and Ajinomoto are stepping up the production of semiconductor materials, using their know-how from far-flung fields to benefit from the artificial intelligence boom.