Factbox: Strong quake hits Japan's production hub, disrupts business operations

Nippon Paper Industries

29/07/2026 07:41

TOKYO, July 29 (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake centred on Kumamoto in southwestern Japan on Tuesday forced a growing number of manufacturers, retailers and service providers to suspend operations across the region, disrupting supply chains in one of the country's key production hubs.
Following are companies that have suspended or halted operation in Kumamoto and nearby prefectures after the magnitude 7.1 quake hit the area, killing at least 13 and knocking out power of thousands of homes.

- SONY SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING
Operations at Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing's Kumamoto Technology Centre were halted after the earthquake and remain suspended as of Wednesday morning, said its parent, Sony Group Corp's 6758.T Sony Semiconductor Solutions. It said it was evaluating damage to the site's building and manufacturing lines.

- RENESAS ELECTRONICS 6723.T
The company has suspended operations at its Kawajiri plant in Kumamoto City and Nishiki plant in Nishiki town. The semiconductor manufacturer began inspections of clean-room facilities on Wednesday morning to assess any damage to buildings and equipment. 

- EBARA CORP 6361.T
The pump maker halted operations at a factory in Nankan town that manufactures semiconductor production equipment. 

- TOYOTA MOTOR 7203.T
Operations at Toyota Motor Kyushu's Miyata, Kanda and Kokura plants in Fukuoka Prefecture will be suspended from the second shift on Wednesday to the second shift on Friday, taking into consideration safety, logistics, and the status of its suppliers, the automaker said. The decision came just hours after the three plants resumed production on Wednesday morning after the earthquake led them to halt operations.

- MELCO MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
The Mitsubishi Electric 6503.T group company said operations at its Kumamoto production site remain suspended while safety inspections continue. 

-TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING 2330.TW
The world's largest contract chipmaker said late on Tuesday it had begun gradually resuming operations at its Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) plant in Kumamoto  after the quake prompted the precautionary evacuation of workers. 

- HONDA MOTOR 7267.T
Japan's second-biggest automaker extended the suspension of operations at its Kumamoto motorcycle factory through Friday, citing continuing aftershocks and ongoing efforts to assess damage at suppliers. 

- AEON KYUSHU 2653.T
Seventeen of Aeon Kyushu's 40 stores in Kumamoto Prefecture have temporarily suspended operations due to the impact of the earthquake. Its shopping mall in Kumamoto is badly damaged after a post-quake explosion, and rescue workers are working round-the-clock to locate and rescue people trapped or unaccounted for. 

- NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES 3863.T
The company's Yatsushiro mill was affected by the collapse of a chimney, disrupting operations and leaving workers missing or injured. The company spokesperson said it was assessing the situation and was unable to provide further details.  

- YAMATO HOLDINGS 9064.T
Suspended acceptance of parcels destined for or sent from all of Kumamoto Prefecture and parts of northwestern Miyazaki Prefecture. It also halted parcel collection and delivery services within Kumamoto Prefecture.  

 (Reporting by Mariko Katsumura and Hina Suzuki; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
 ((mariko.katsumura@thomsonreuters.com))