TSMC's Japan plant unscathed after 7.1-magnitude quake; operations being restored
Taipei, July 29
Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. confirmed that all its employees were safe and its Japanese plant remained structurally intact following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake, Focus Taiwan reported.
In a statement, the company said an inspection confirmed that the fab operated by TSMC-led joint venture Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc. (JASM) was unscathed, with operations gradually being restored.
JASM will conduct further inspections of the facility to assess the earthquake's impact, but has not indicated when the fab is expected to return to full normal operations, Focus Taiwan reported.
"The earthquake struck Kumamoto at 4:27 p.m. local time Tuesday and registered a maximum intensity of 7 on Japan's seismic intensity scale, according to Japan Broadcasting Corp. (NHK)," the report said.
Immediately after the earthquake, JASM evacuated its employees in accordance with its established evacuation protocols, TSMC said, adding that all personnel inside the facility were safely evacuated and accounted for.
"Right after the temblor, JASM evacuated its employees based on its evacuation criteria, according to TSMC, and it said all personnel inside the facility were evacuated and accounted for," it reported.
TSMC's first fab in Kumamoto began commercial operations in late 2024, focusing on specialty processes. Construction of its second fab commenced last year, with mass production expected to begin in 2028 using the advanced 3-nanometre process.
The company said the construction site of the second fab was not affected by the earthquake. However, some work remained suspended as a safety precaution due to the possibility of aftershocks.
Separately, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs said other Taiwanese companies operating in Kumamoto were also unaffected by the earthquake.
"The other companies included industrial computer brand Advantech Co., power management solution provider Delta Electronics Inc., Ucan Ltd., another power management device maker, and the Kumamoto branch of CTBC's subsidiary Tokyo Star Bank, according to the MOEA," it said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive response by TSMC. Evacuation protocols worked perfectly, staff all safe. But I wonder if such advanced chip manufacturing can be done in India, given our own earthquake-prone zones. We need to learn from Japan's engineering standards. 🇮🇳
This is why Japan leads in tech. They have robust infrastructure that can withstand such natural calamities. Meanwhile, our government is still arguing over land acquisition for semiconductor fabs. We need to speed up and prioritize safety standards.
While the plant is safe, this highlights the vulnerability of global chip supply chains. India's push for self-reliance in semiconductors is not just about economic growth—it's about national security. Hope our policymakers take this as a wake-up call.
Kudos to TSMC and JASM for their quick response and clear communication. But one has to ask—why is India not investing more in disaster-proofing our own industrial zones? We have the talent and resources, just need political will. 🇮🇳
Respect to Japanese engineering. A 7.1-magnitude quake and no damage to a semiconductor fab? That's no accident. Meanwhile, we can't even build a bridge without it collapsing. We need to adopt their approach to quality and safety in our infrastructure projects.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.