KUMAMOTO, Japan—The 7.1-magnitude quake that struck southern Japan this week has brought many car and semiconductor factories in the area to a halt, but hopes are high that disruptions will be less severe than a similar-sized temblor that rocked the region a decade ago.
Given Japan’s proneness to natural disasters, manufacturers have for decades sought to strengthen the resilience of parts supply and this latest quake, which has claimed the lives of 34 people, will be a test of how robust their efforts have been.
Aisin, an auto supplier that makes doors, engines and other parts at a factory near the epicenter of Tuesday’s jolt, is a case in point, appearing to have suffered less when compared to 2016….
Japan Earthquake Halts Auto and Chip Plants as Death Toll Rises to 34
