A Japanese newspaper says South Korean makers of lithium ion batteries took the largest share of the global market, topping the share of Japanese counterparts for the first time.

Quoting market research firm Techno Systems Research, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on Friday that South Korean manufacturers held a combined market share of 42-point-six percent in the second quarter, up four-point-nine percentage points from the previous quarter.

The report said that Japanese makers’ combined share, meanwhile, dropped by four-point-three percentage points to 33-point-seven percent during the cited period.

By company, Samsung SDI had the biggest share of 25-point-three percent, beating Panasonic Group which posted 23 percent.

The rise in Korea’s market share is attributable to the strong yen and a reduced production in Japan due to a massive earthquake in March.