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語彙から始めて、理解チェックやまとめ、ディスカッションに挑戦してみましょう。
Vocabulary
Surged– Rose or to grow very quickly
The company’s stock surged after the announcement.
Supply chain-Network that produces and delivers products
Chip shortages disrupted the global supply chain.
Contamination– Harmful or unwanted material
Clean Rooms prevent Contamination during chipmaking.
Fiscal year– A company’s financial year
Profits increased in the last fiscal year.
Tailwind– A factor that helps growth or success
Low interest rates acted as a tailwind for investment.
Article
From Toilets to Chips: Toto Rises on AI Memory Boom
Shares of Japanese toilet manufacturer Toto Ltd. surged and recorded their largest gain in five years after strong demand for memory chips raised expectations for growth in its lesser-known semiconductor materials business.
The company’s stock jumped by as much as 11 percent, its sharpest increase since February 2021. This followed a report by Goldman Sachs, which stated that Toto’s electrostatic chucks, used in NAND memory chip production, are likely to benefit from global investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. The rapid expansion of AI data centers is tightening the supply of both high-end and standard memory chips.
Goldman Sachs analysts upgraded Toto’s rating from neutral to buy, predicting significant profit growth from the company’s chuck-making operations. They described the current memory market — where demand is higher than supply — as a strong tailwind for Toto’s business.
Although Toto is best known for its heated “washlet” toilet seats, the company has been part of the semiconductor supply chain for decades. Since 1988, it has mass-produced electrostatic chucks, which hold silicon wafers in place during chip manufacturing while controlling temperature and preventing contamination. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, this business accounted for 42 percent of Toto’s operating income in the fiscal year ending March 2025.
Global technology companies such as Meta and Amazon are investing hundreds of billions of dollars into AI data centers. These investments have caused global semiconductor shortages, pushing memory manufacturers like Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Kioxia to increase production — further boosting demand for Toto’s products.
Toto’s success highlights a broader trend in Japan, where even consumer goods companies have developed advanced semiconductor-related businesses. Examples include Ajinomoto, which produces chip insulation materials, and Kao, a cosmetics company that operates a chip wafer cleaning business.
Source: Japan Times(English)
Comprehension Questions
Answer the questions following the article in English.
- What specific product made by Toto attracted investor attention?
- Why is AI infrastructure development increasing demand for Toto’s products?
- How important is Toto’s semiconductor-related business to its overall income?
- What examples show that non-tech Japanese companies are involved in chip production?
Summary
In your own words, attempt to summarise the article in 4 sentences or less.
Discussion
Discuss these topics with your tutor, and support your answers with examples or experience.
- Why do you think investors reacted so strongly to Goldman Sachs’ report?
- Is it risky or smart for consumer brands to diversify into semiconductor industries?
- How might global AI investment change traditional manufacturing companies in the future?
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