Kumamoto Hit by Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake! TSMC's JASM Plant Evacuated – Latest Operational Status Revealed

On the afternoon of April 28, 2025, a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum seismic intensity of 7. TSMC's Japanese subsidiary JASM, located in Kikuchi Town, conducted an emergency evacuation immediately after the quake.

TSMC stated in an evening announcement that all on-site personnel have been confirmed safe and no structural abnormalities were detected in the buildings. Production lines are gradually resuming operations, while detailed assessments of equipment and production impacts are ongoing.

The earthquake occurred at approximately 4:27 PM Japan time, with a focal depth of about 10 kilometers. Multiple aftershocks followed. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Kumamoto, and damage reports included building collapses, road disruptions, and halted transportation services.

JASM's wafer fabrication site recorded a maximum seismic intensity of 5. Following the quake, the company activated internal safety protocols and evacuated all personnel immediately. A post-quake inspection confirmed that the facility's structural integrity remained intact, and production has begun to resume in stages.

TSMC stated, "Comprehensive inspections and detailed impact assessments are still underway." The actual impact on production capacity and potential wafer losses will be confirmed in the coming days.

The construction site for JASM's facility sustained no physical damage from the quake. However, due to the risk of ongoing aftershocks, certain construction activities have been temporarily suspended to ensure worker safety. Work will resume once safety is confirmed.

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs reported that it has contacted Taiwanese companies operating in Kumamoto—including Advantech, Delta Electronics, Yoken, and Tokyo Star—through its Fukuoka economic office. All companies confirmed employee safety and reported no major operational disruptions or production anomalies.

JASM's Kumamoto Fab 1 began mass production at the end of 2024, primarily using specialized process technologies. Kumamoto Fab 2 is planned to adopt 3-nanometer process technology, with mass production targeted for 2028. TSMC has not yet provided further details on whether the earthquake will affect the construction timeline of the second fab.

Related Media Reports: · Beyond TSMC? SK Hynix ADRs surge with extraordinary premium—Is the AI trading frenzy overheating? · SK Hynix plunges 13%, TSMC drops by NT$70—Asian semiconductor stocks collapse collectively; foreign media warn of accelerating chip sell-off · Samsung secures Broadcom's massive NT$6.5 trillion order! Foreign media reveal the key advantage that allowed Samsung to surpass TSMC