ID :
173434
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 10:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/173434
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Electronics Makers Move Production from Eastern Japan
Tokyo, April 5 (Jiji Press)--Electronics makers have started to move production from eastern Japan due to the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and rolling blackouts by Tokyo Electric Power Co. <9501>.
The industrial sector will certainly be asked to reduce electricity use in the summer, the peak demand season, as eastern parts of the country are expected to face power supply shortages.
But an official at a major electronics company said it is out of the question for electronics makers to cut output, noting they need to ensure stable product supplies.
Semiconductor manufacturers, in particular, are active in moving production from eastern Japan because electricity is needed around the clock to keep temperatures and pressure at appropriate levels in cleanrooms, where microfabrication is carried out.
Even just a few hours of no power can allow dust to enter cleanrooms, making it difficult to maintain product quality.
Toshiba Corp. <6502> has transferred production of system large-scale integrated circuits and other devices at its quake-damaged plant in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to its Oita plant in southwestern Japan and its plant in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.
Although Toshiba will resume some operations at the Iwate factory on Monday, the company will consider whether to keep the production shift in place while watching the electricity supply situation, a public relations official said.
Texas Instruments Japan Ltd., a unit of major U.S. chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc., will shift over 80 pct of semiconductor production at its plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, to three plants in the United States and Germany.
The company will continue the production shift until the Ibaraki factory fully resumes operations in mid-July.
Fujitsu Ltd. <6702> has transferred part of desktop personal computer production at its plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to its plant in the western prefecture of Shimane.
Although the Fukushima plant has restarted operations, Fujitsu has retained the new production structure in order to ensure stable product supplies.
Canon Inc. <7751> would consider fully utilizing its manufacturing sites in the Kyushu southwestern region if power use is restricted in eastern Japan.
The industrial sector will certainly be asked to reduce electricity use in the summer, the peak demand season, as eastern parts of the country are expected to face power supply shortages.
But an official at a major electronics company said it is out of the question for electronics makers to cut output, noting they need to ensure stable product supplies.
Semiconductor manufacturers, in particular, are active in moving production from eastern Japan because electricity is needed around the clock to keep temperatures and pressure at appropriate levels in cleanrooms, where microfabrication is carried out.
Even just a few hours of no power can allow dust to enter cleanrooms, making it difficult to maintain product quality.
Toshiba Corp. <6502> has transferred production of system large-scale integrated circuits and other devices at its quake-damaged plant in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to its Oita plant in southwestern Japan and its plant in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan.
Although Toshiba will resume some operations at the Iwate factory on Monday, the company will consider whether to keep the production shift in place while watching the electricity supply situation, a public relations official said.
Texas Instruments Japan Ltd., a unit of major U.S. chipmaker Texas Instruments Inc., will shift over 80 pct of semiconductor production at its plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, eastern Japan, to three plants in the United States and Germany.
The company will continue the production shift until the Ibaraki factory fully resumes operations in mid-July.
Fujitsu Ltd. <6702> has transferred part of desktop personal computer production at its plant in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, to its plant in the western prefecture of Shimane.
Although the Fukushima plant has restarted operations, Fujitsu has retained the new production structure in order to ensure stable product supplies.
Canon Inc. <7751> would consider fully utilizing its manufacturing sites in the Kyushu southwestern region if power use is restricted in eastern Japan.
