The Kumamoto earthquake has severely impacted industrial production in Kyushu.

According to a report by Japanese media Reponse on July 30: In the major earthquake exceeding magnitude 7 in Kumamoto Prefecture, 12 deaths have been confirmed so far, with six people experiencing cardiac and respiratory arrest, raising concerns about the ongoing expansion of disaster impacts, including casualties. Many large factories across the Kyushu region have halted operations, which will have widespread economic repercussions.

In an article titled "Semiconductor Supply Stagnation" published in the economic section, Yomiuri Shimbun stated: "Kumamoto Prefecture is a crucial hub for numerous industrial products and serves as a center for semiconductor-related factories (commonly referred to as 'industrial food'). If the supply chain is disrupted, many Japanese industrial sectors will be affected."

Renesas Electronics has suspended operations at its Kawakiri factory and Nishinomachi factory in Kumamoto City following the earthquake; both facilities produce automotive semiconductors and other products.

Mitsubishi Electric has paused production at its power semiconductor plants located in Kōshi City and Kusugi City. Sony Group has halted operations at its image sensor factory in Kusayama Town, while Tokyo Electron has stopped operations at its semiconductor manufacturing equipment factories in Kōshi City and Ōtsu Town.

Manufacturers outside the semiconductor sector are also experiencing a series of plant shutdowns. Honda will suspend operations at its Kumamoto factory in Ōtsu Town—the only motorcycle production base in Japan—where water leakage incidents are still being repaired. Whether operations can resume after August 3rd will depend on specific circumstances. However, during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, it took nearly five months for production to return to pre-disaster levels. According to Nikkei News: "Although Honda’s production facilities were not as severely damaged as in 2016, there are currently no signs of recovery."

Additionally, Yamaha has suspended operations at its Kumamoto outboard engine factory.

Bridgestone has halted operations at its Tamana factory, which produces rubber products used in construction machinery.

Toyota Motor Corporation has suspended operations at three factories from late on the 29th through the 31st: Miyata Factory (Miyawaki City, Fukuoka Prefecture), which produces Lexus vehicles; Ogura Factory (Kitakyushu City); and Kariya Factory (Kariya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture).

Aisin's Kyushu plant in Kumamoto Prefecture, which manufactures car door components, has also suspended operations. Some equipment and internal building structures have sustained damage, and the recovery timeline remains uncertain.

Nissan’s factory in Kariya Town will also cease operations from the afternoon of the 30th to the 31st. Although the production facilities themselves were not damaged, parts supply has been interrupted.

That night, as the disaster situation worsened, Takashi Sato, Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (Deputy Chair of Toyota Motor Corporation), commented: "To help disaster victims quickly resume daily life, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association will cooperate with local authorities, prioritizing 'life safety first' and 'local recovery and reconstruction.'"

However, due to potential prolonged effects on the supply chain, local communities are not only concerned about resuming production but also fear further negative impacts on Japan’s economy.

7.1 Magnitude Strong Earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872100819020811/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.