Group 1 - The article highlights the strategic adjustments made by major Japanese chemical companies in response to market changes and competitive pressures [1][9]. - Mitsubishi Chemical announced its decision to exit the polyester resin manufacturing business for printer toner, which has been operational for 36 years, with plans to cease production by March 31, 2026, and sales by June 30, 2026 [2][3]. - The decline in printing demand due to the shift towards paperless operations and remote work, coupled with rising raw material and labor costs, has put significant pressure on the profitability of this business [3]. Group 2 - Mitsui Chemicals also decided to exit its styrene-acrylic resin and polyester resin businesses, with production expected to stop in the first half of the 2025 fiscal year, citing similar reasons including rising raw material costs and intense domestic and international competition [4]. - Sumitomo Bakelite reached an agreement to acquire AGC's polycarbonate business, which has a history of over 30 years and serves key industries such as construction, industrial, and electronics [5][6]. - The acquisition is expected to benefit Sumitomo Bakelite by leveraging its advanced technology in efficiently utilizing polycarbonate assets while allowing AGC to focus on its core business [7]. Group 3 - AGC, originally known as Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., is a leading manufacturer in glass, chemicals, and high-tech materials, with a comprehensive product range including automotive glass and display covers [8]. - Sumitomo Bakelite is recognized as a major supplier of epoxy molding compounds and resin materials, holding approximately 40% of the global market share in epoxy molding compounds [8]. - The company is set to enhance its production capacity significantly with the new factory in Suzhou, expected to reach an annual capacity of 33,000 tons, which is 1.5 times higher than the previous facility [8].