Japan Inc Yet to Resume Production, Shutdown at Many Plants

More than a week after being hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami, many of Japan’s key automakers and electronics firms are struggling to resume operations.

Affected operations are being felt down the global supply chain, as Japanese companies supply parts and components to other manufacturers worldwide.

Production at Toyota’s 12 main assembly plants in Japan remain closed till at least Tuesday, resulting in lost production of 95,000 vehicles.

Toyota’s repair parts manufacture is scheduled to resume only later this week.

Rival Honda extended a Japan production halt till Wednesday, after telling U.S. dealers their vehicle allocations will be reviewed.

Meantime, Nissan has begun limited operations at five of its parts plants in Japan.

Vehicle production will only restart Thursday, but only for as long as supplies last.

Nissan’s losses are estimated at about $25 million a day.

The halts have affected carmakers like Renault Samsung, and General Motors, which are idling or cutting back on production schedules due to potential parts shortages.

A similar picture is emerging from the technology sector, with seven of Sony’s plants still shut.

The plants make a range of devices, from Blu-ray discs to batteries, some of which go to other overseas manufacturers.

Halts at two of Toshiba’s factories could mean production delays for Apple’s iPad 2.

The tablet uses memory chips from the Japanese firm, with batteries made by Apple Japan and screens believed to be from Asahi Glass.

Other affected firms include Canon, Panasonic and chipmaker Renasas.

Even unaffected Japanese manufacturers face hurdles from logistics and shipping issues.

Foto: NTD