NHK...

Concern is growing that Chubu Electric Power Company's suspension of the Hamaoka nuclear power plant would affect Japanese manufacturing companies with plants in regions where the utility supplies electricity.

Chubu Electric Power Company supplies electricity for prefectures such as Aichi, Mie, Gifu and Shizuoka.

Automakers in those prefectures are concerned that cutting their power use will negatively affect production levels. Toyota Motor has 9 assembly plants in Aichi, Mie and Gifu. Other car makers such as Honda, Suzuki and Mitsubishi also have plants in the region.

The utility's nuclear power plant suspension was announced on the same day as Honda started producing a new model in Mie Prefecture.
Honda originally intended to produce the new model at a plant in Saitama Prefecture just outside Tokyo. Mie Prefecture was chosen instead to avoid power shortages expected in and outside Tokyo due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Honda's output has fallen to about half its usual level as the March 11th earthquake and tsunami disrupted supplies of parts.

Honda says it will have to revise production and sales plans if asked to significantly cut its power use during the summer.

Suzuki has a main production plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, where the Hamaoka plant is located.
The car manufacturer intends to come up with measures to address possible power shortages.

Electronics makers with plants are also located in the region covered by Chubu Electric Power Company. Toshiba and Fujitsu have large factories making semiconductors in Mie Prefecture. Panasonic has a plant for producing ventilators in Aichi Prefecture. Another in Shizuoka Prefecture is for washing machines and other products.

Monday, May 09, 2011 20:06 +0900 (JST)