TSMC has donated ¥250 million to support recovery efforts in areas of Kumamoto Prefecture hit by a recent earthquake, according to ITmedia. The company’s first plant in the region has also returned to normal production levels.
The donation and production update were reported by ITmedia on Tuesday. The earthquake struck Kumamoto roughly one week earlier, and the region is still dealing with economic fallout, with some manufacturers yet to resume operations.
The move highlights the close ties between TSMC and Kumamoto, where the chipmaker operates its first Japanese fabrication facility. ITmedia notes that the plant’s return to regular output is a positive sign for the local semiconductor supply chain, which had been disrupted by the quake.
Other companies in the area are also working to restart operations. According to au Web Portal, semiconductor makers such as Sony have resumed some factory activity, while automakers and food producers are still facing suspensions. Honda, for instance, has halted production at its four-wheel vehicle plants until the 19th, per Saga Shimbun.
The donation has drawn public appreciation in Japan, with social media users expressing gratitude for TSMC’s contribution, as covered by Sponichi Annex. The scale of the gift was noted as unusually large for a corporate donation in this context.
Looking ahead, the key question is how quickly the remaining manufacturers in the region can restore full operations, and whether the quake will have lasting effects on Japan’s semiconductor supply chain.
