Sony Group and Renesas Electronics suspended production at semiconductor factories in Kumamoto after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the region on July 28. Sony Semiconductor Solutions shut down its image sensor plant in Kikuyō to assess damage, while wall cracks, water leaks, and fallen ceiling panels were confirmed at two Renesas facilities. No employee injuries were reported at either company.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's Japan subsidiary, JASM, evacuated staff after the plant recorded an upper-5 intensity on Japan's seismic scale. TSMC later confirmed all personnel were safe and the building structure remained secure, with operations gradually resuming. A nearby JASM construction site was unaffected, though some work was paused as a precaution.
Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said personnel at Advantech, Delta Electronics, and other Taiwanese firms in the area were unharmed, with no immediate impact on factory operations. President Lai Ching-te expressed condolences and offered assistance.
JASM's first fab began mass production in late 2024, with a second facility targeted for 2028.