Sony and Fujifilm Evacuate Factory Workers as 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan, on July 28, prompting Sony and Fujifilm to evacuate workers from their factories. The earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time, followed by a 6.1 magnitude aftershock 40 minutes later. At least 50 people were injured, and an explosion at an Aeon shopping mall caused feared casualties. Sony's Kumamoto Technology Center halted operations and is assessing damage, while its other centers in Nagasaki, Oita, and Kagoshima reported no significant damage. No casualties among employees were reported. Fujifilm's Kumamoto site manufactures components for sensors and LCD screens. A prolonged shutdown could cause supply chain delays. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. also evacuated. Japan's prime minister Sanae Takaichi urged evacuations, with 300,000 people ordered to evacuation centers due to risks of further tremors and landslides.