On February 5, Nikkei News reported that Japan's TOTO Corporation, leveraging its extensive expertise in ceramic materials, has successfully ventured into the electrostatic chuck (ESC) market within the semiconductor manufacturing sector. As the world's third-largest manufacturer of ceramic sanitary ware products, TOTO's semiconductor-related endeavors date back to the 1980s, when the company began developing high-performance precision ceramic products tailored for the semiconductor industry. In recent years, amidst the rapid growth of the semiconductor market, TOTO's semiconductor business has seen a surge in revenue. According to financial reports released by TOTO, in the first three quarters of fiscal year 2024, its "new field" business segment, which encompasses the semiconductor business, recorded a significant year-on-year increase of 31.8% in revenue and an impressive 84.4% jump in operating profit. The full-year operating profit for this segment is anticipated to exceed US$100 million.