Factory shutdowns spread after Kumamoto quake, chip sector hit

TOKYO - Shutdowns spread among semiconductor-related and other factories in Kumamoto Prefecture on Wednesday after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the southwestern prefecture the previous day, raising concerns about broader economic fallout if the suspensions are prolonged.

Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., a subsidiary of Sony Group Corp., halted operations at its plant in Kikuyo immediately after the quake, with no timetable for resuming operations.