Kumamoto chip fabs resume after quake; TSMC’s yet to set restart date

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 forced multiple semiconductor facilities to halt production, raising concerns about global chip supply chains. Nearly a week later, several manufacturers are resuming operations, though TSMC's Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited ↘ 1.20% JASM fab has yet to announce a concrete restart date.

Recovery Under Way

Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced on July 31 that its Kumamoto Technology Center in Kikuyo Town will resume operations in stages beginning August 4, with output expected to return to pre-earthquake levels by mid-August. The facility produces image sensors used in consumer electronics, industrial equipment, and automotive applications.sony-semicon

Tokyo Electron confirmed that its Kumamoto facilities in Koshi City and Ozu Town would fully resume production and operations starting August 3, after safety inspections found no major damage to buildings or equipment. Automotive chipmaker Renesas Electronics restarted its Nishiki Plant on the evening of July 29, with its Kawajiri Plant in Kumamoto City set to resume from August 5.trendforce+1

TSMC's JASM Still Under Inspection

TSMC said on July 28 that post-earthquake structural inspections confirmed the JASM facility was safe and that operations were "gradually resuming," according to Reuters. However, subsequent reports indicate that while infrastructure including water and electricity supply remained intact, production equipment still requires recalibration. The company has not provided a specific date for full restart of Fab 1, deploying additional resources to support the recovery effort.news.chemnet+3

JASM's second fab, still under construction, resumed construction work following the quake, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency.trendforce

Broader Impact

The earthquake caused at least 34 deaths and disrupted operations across what is known as Japan's "Silicon Island". Sony Group, reporting fiscal first-quarter earnings on the same day, disclosed a 32 percent rise in net profit to 342.2 billion yen but said the financial impact from the quake was still being assessed and was not included in its results. Mitsubishi Electric restarted equipment at its two Kumamoto power semiconductor factories on July 30.brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes+1

The concentration of chip manufacturing in Kumamoto — home to TSMC, Sony, Tokyo Electron, Renesas, and Mitsubishi Electric — means the region's recovery timeline remains closely watched by the global semiconductor industry.