As well as problems with supply chain disruptions and power shortages, firms have said that they are extending shutdowns due to the need to prioritise safety for workers and to enable them to establish the well-being of their families.

Nissan has said that operations at its Tochigi and Iwaki plants will be suspended until this Friday 18 March while the Oppama, Kyushu, Shatai and Yokohama plant
s will be suspended until Wednesday 16 March.

Toyota announced today, 14 March, that it has decided to suspend production at all Toyota Motor Corporation plants, as well as at all subsidiary vehicle-manufacturing plants.

In a statement it said: ‘It is because Toyota places utmost priority on ensuring the safety of all team members at Toyota, its subsidiary vehicle manufacturers such as Central and Kanto, and at its suppliers, as well as on confirming the safety of their family members.’

Honda has issued an update statement on its activities, saying that its Saitama factory has suspended production until further notice while the Suzuka factory has now resumed production.

The carmaker said: ‘Honda’s number one priority is to help and support the affected areas in whatever capacity we have at our disposal. Honda can confirm that there has been one fatality at Honda R&D Co Ltd in Tochigi prefecture. At this time, 30 injuries have also been reported.’

Goldman Sachs has released a report estimating that Toyota’s profit could be impacted by 6 billion yen (€52 million / $73 million) per day due to the production suspensions while Honda and Nissan could each see a decrease of 2 billion yen a day.

Mazda is also suspending production, saying that it ‘places the highest priority on ensuring the safety of all employees and their families at its suppliers in the affected region’. The carmaker will halt operations at its Hiroshima and Hofu plants from the night shift on 14 March through to the night shift on 16 March and will announce any further production changes for 17 March as soon as a decision is made.

Mitsubishi says it’s suspended production until 16 March to prioritise safety verifications at its suppliers.

The manufacturer has production hubs located in Aichi Prefecture (Nagoya Plant), Gifu Prefecture (Pajero Manufacturing Co Ltd), Okayama Prefecture (Mizushima Plant) and said that none of the above has been affected by the Tohoku earthquake, but some of MMC’s suppliers have reported damages.

Mitsubishi has confirmed today that it has managed to procure the necessary to resume operation in all those plants for this Wednesday but said that the status for Thursday will be confirmed tomorrow, Tuesday 15 March.

Suzuki has closed all of its six plants in Japan until at least 17 March and says it will continue to monitor the situation.