Toyota Shuts Down Factory Amid Heavy Rainfall Striking Kyushu, Japan

Temporary Suspension of Late-Night Operations on the 10th... Canon and Bridgestone Also Close Factories
Flooding and Landslides Cause Ongoing Traffic and Logistics Disruptions

Due to record-breaking heavy rains in the Kyushu region of Japan, companies with factories in the area, including Toyota Motor Corporation, have simultaneously suspended operations. Some Toyota models are expected to face unavoidable production adjustments, and related companies are also likely to suffer significant damage.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 11th, Toyota announced the previous day that it would temporarily suspend night operations at three factories in the Kyushu region due to the heavy rains and begin production adjustments.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The factories that have suspended operations are the "Kyushu production lines," including the Miyata Plant in Miyawaka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, the Kanda Plant in Kanda Town, Miyako District, and the Ogura Plant in Kitakyushu City, totaling three locations. They canceled the two-shift operation for the day, and future operations will be decided based on the situation.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported, "Toyota has not disclosed the number of affected vehicles due to the suspension, but four models, including the Lexus brand's sport utility vehicle (SUV) 'RX series' and sedan 'ES series,' are expected to be impacted by the production halt."

A Toyota representative stated at a press conference that day, "This is a measure to protect our employees."

Not only Toyota but also tire manufacturer Bridgestone and camera manufacturer Canon have taken similar measures. Bridgestone canceled operations at four plants: the Kurume Plant in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture; the Amagi Plant in Asakura City; the Tosu Plant in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture; and the Saga Plant in Kanemine Town.

Canon suspended operations at its camera manufacturing plant in Oita Prefecture due to flooding of a nearby river. TOTO, which produces toilets and bidets, also temporarily halted operations at two plants in the same region.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Kyushu region has experienced record-breaking heavy rains since the previous day, resulting in five deaths and three missing persons, causing ongoing human and property damage.

Additionally, landslides and river flooding have blocked transportation and logistics movement. Although the Shinkansen and trains began resuming operations sequentially from the morning, some lines have flooded tracks, requiring time for restoration and inspection. Several highway sections have been closed due to soil runoff.

In response, Japan Post announced delivery delays in seven prefectures of the Kyushu region, including Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures, and suspended counter services at 270 post offices. Logistics companies Yamato Transport and Sagawa Express have suspended collection and delivery services in Fukuoka, Saga, and Oita Prefectures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.