TSMC’s Kumamoto Plant Maintains Production After Magnitude 4.9 Quake
Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, TSMC’s majority-owned subsidiary in Japan, operates a chip plant in Kumamoto as part of the Taiwanese company’s expansion in the country. The facility is an important link in Japan’s effort to strengthen its domestic semiconductor supply chain. Chipmaking tools are highly sensitive to tremors, making post-quake inspections, recalibration and production continuity key concerns for customers and plant operators.
A magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on Aug. 12, but the JASM site recorded an intensity of only 3 on Japan’s seismic scale. The production line was unaffected and continued operating without a shutdown. The plant had previously inspected and recalibrated equipment after a main earthquake in late July, and returned to normal production levels on Aug. 3.
All Coverage
1 original reportsThe Backstory
The history behind this eventTSMC Assesses Kumamoto Fab After 7.1 Quake Hits Kyushu
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture rattled Kyushu, a key semiconductor production hub, raising concerns over disruptions to chip and AI hardware supply chains. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has made Kumamoto a strategic manufacturing base through its JASM subsidiary, drawn by an established industrial cluster, customer demand and government support despite the region’s elevated seismic risk.
JASM initially assessed equipment, facilities and production capacity after the quake, while TSMC’s US-listed shares fell 3.46% in premarket trading. Subsequent checks found no structural damage at the Kumamoto plant, and parts of the local semiconductor cluster began restarting, though several Japanese manufacturers extended shutdowns. TSMC also pledged 250 million yen to support disaster relief and reconstruction in affected communities.
Subscribe to Mark Radar Weekly
Every Friday, the week's strongest signals in your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.