March 12, 2012 — One year ago, on March 11, 2011, a magnitude-8.9 earthquake and devastating tsunami hit off the northeastern shore of Japan, near Sendai. The Great East Japan Earthquake was the most powerful earthquake ever measured in Japan, Nikkei reports.
In an editorial remembering that day, Nikkei points out the supply-chain-threatening effect of the earthquake and tsunami:
"Manufacturing supply chains crumbling as a result of one quake-stricken factory are a devastating weakness that puts the entire economy at risk. Companies must reassess exclusive supply chains focused solely on efficiency and short-term costs, and transform them into more open networks."
And the resourcefulness that comes from Japan’s manufacturing skills and global competitiveness:
"People maintained order under tragic circumstances and worked tirelessly. A sense of unity and an eagerness to help each other were vividly displayed. The country’s well-honed manufacturing skills, which are the backbone of its global competitiveness, are rooted in the high morale among front-line workers."
Read Nikkei’s editorial on the one-year anniversary here: http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20120311D1103F05.htm, as well as other special coverage about the earthquake’s impact here: http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/quakefallout.aspx
To revisit the Japan earthquake’s aftermath, and lessons gained in the semiconductor industry, read:
Japan quake hampering package substrate supplies
Japan infrastructure fab status after earthquake
Update from Japan: Big aftershocks slow fab recoveries
Wafer fab post-disaster: ONN’s recovery
Semiconductor inventory surplus mitigates fab losses in Japan disaster, for now
Fabs in high-risk zones, 450mm, 3D IC themes of Semico’s Semiconductor Fab Database