Kumamoto Earthquake in Japan Causes Shutdown of Multiple Semiconductor Plants

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, on April 28 (Tuesday), causing widespread shutdowns of semiconductor and manufacturing plants. Given Kumamoto’s concentration of high-tech production facilities, multiple companies announced immediate operational halts following the quake, sparking significant market concerns over potential industrial disruptions.

Sony Group’s semiconductor subsidiary announced on April 29 that its image sensor factory in Kikuyō Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, had suspended operations immediately after the earthquake, with no timeline yet provided for resumption.

Japanese semiconductor giant Renesas Electronics also announced on the same day that its two factories in Kumamoto Prefecture had halted production following the quake.

Tokyo Electron, a leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has fully suspended operations at its two facilities within Kumamoto Prefecture.

Ebara Corporation announced the shutdown of its semiconductor manufacturing equipment plant in Kumamoto Prefecture on the same day.

Mitsubishi Electric also reported that its two semiconductor manufacturing plants in Kumamoto Prefecture have completely ceased operations.

Japan Post has temporarily suspended all counter services at post offices within Kumamoto Prefecture.

Mitsubishi Chemical’s Kyushu Business Unit Kumamoto Plant, Bridgestone’s Kumamoto Factory, Koikeya’s Kyushu Aso Factory, and Suntory’s Kyushu Kumamoto Factory remain in shutdown status.

Honda has suspended motorcycle production lines at its Kumamoto Manufacturing Plant.

Aisin九州, a parts supplier for Toyota Motor Corporation, has also temporarily halted operations.

Additionally, the strong quake caused the chimney at Nippon Paper’s Yatsushiro Factory in Kumamoto—specializing in books and newsprint—to collapse, resulting in severe damage.