[News] Kumamoto Fab Restart Update: TEL, Sony Resume Operations; TSMC’s JASM Fab 1 Under Inspection after M7.1 Quake
Several semiconductor facilities in Kumamoto, Japan, including TSMC’s JASM fab, suspended operations after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the region on July 28. Notably, production is now gradually recovering, with semiconductor equipment leader Tokyo Electron and Sony Semiconductor Solutions among the companies announcing restart timelines.
TEL, Sony, and Renasas Facilities to Resume Operation This Week
According to TV Asahi News, Tokyo Electron will resume operations at its Kumamoto facilities on August 3 after temporarily halting production following the earthquake. The restart reportedly covers development and production sites operated by its subsidiary Tokyo Electron Kyushu in Koshi City and Ozu Town, with safety inspections completed.
TEL said no major damage was found to the buildings or equipment, and the impact on its business performance is expected to be limited, the report adds.
On the other hand, Reuters reports that Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced on July 31 that production at its Kumamoto Technology Center in Kikuyo Town will gradually restart from August 4, with output expected to recover to pre-earthquake levels by mid-August.
Automotive chipmaker Renesas, according to Kumamoto Nichi Nichi Shimbun, resumed production at its Nishiki Plant in Nishiki Town on the evening of July 29 after operations were suspended earlier. The company will gradually ramp up utilization rates after confirming the safety of the building and cleanroom, the report notes, adding that it plans to restart production at its Kawajiri Plant in Kumamoto City from August 5.
TSMC’s JASM in Focus
On the other hand, TSMC’s JASM has yet to announce a concrete timeline for the restart of Kumamoto JASM Fab 1. Central News Agency, citing Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung, notes that TSMC’s Kumamoto JASM Fab 2, which is still under construction, has resumed work following the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on July 28.
JASM Fab 1, however, remains temporarily halted for equipment inspections, with the company aiming to restart operations as soon as possible, the report adds. As previously reported by the Economic Daily News, TSMC said on July 29 that the strong shaking from the earthquake would require additional time for adjustments and calibration. After assessing the situation, the company has reportedly deployed resources to support JASM.
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(Photo credit: TSMC)
