Tokyo: Quake affects local businesses

At Niigata Fuji Xerox Manufacturing Ltd in Kashiwazaki, the production line automatically stopped when the earthquake struck. Operations at the plant have been suspended since then because of the power outage. Part of the ceiling caved in, but none of the 40 employees at the factory during the quake was injured.

Joetsu-based Sumitomo Metals (Naoetsu) Ltd, Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd's subsidiary that manufactures stainless steel products, halted operations due to safety concerns. No damage was found, and operations resumed at 2pm.

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co's Naoetsu plant, also in Joetsu, suspended operations for a safety check, but work resumed there in the afternoon.

At Hokuetsu Paper Mills Ltd's Niigata plant, which produces coated paper used for flyers, leaflets and catalogs, three of seven machines broke down due to paper jams caused by the earthquake. Employees fixed the problem soon afterward, but a company spokesman said: "We're afraid of aftershocks. We'll continue to check the machines as we operate them."

Sanyo Electric Co's Ojiya plant, which manufactures semiconductors for audiovisual products, also halted production. No damage was found in the plant, and no employees were injured.

In Alps Electric Co's plants in Nagaoka and Uonuma, which produce magnetic heads, shelves fell down, but production was not suspended. No one was injured.

Casual wear shop Uniqlo's Kashiwazaki branch has been closed since Monday. Part of the ceiling caved in, and cracks were found in the parking lot and the exterior wall of the building. No customers were injured because the earthquake occurred before the store opened. The operator said it might take a couple of days to resume operations.

According to retail group Aeon Co, its Jusco stores in Ojiya and Nagaoka as well as its Saty store in Tsubame were closed Monday after products fell onto the floor and elevators stopped. Customers remained calm when the quake hit, the retailer said.

Mitsukoshi Ltd's gift shop in Kashiwazaki and a Muji shop in JR Nagaoka Station were closed Monday so their floors could be cleaned.

Restaurant chain Skylark Co suspended operations at nine restaurants in five cities after propane gas supply was shut down due to the quake. Skylark delivers ingredients from Saitama Prefecture to restaurants in Niigata Prefecture. The materials arrived behind schedule Monday because they were delivered via secondary roads. The expressway was blocked.

Convenience store chain Lawson Inc has told truck drivers delivering products to its shops in the prefecture to search for open roads via radio, but the company warned that its products might arrive late.

- By Business Desk

The Daily Yomiuri, Asia News Network

Publication Date: 18-07-2007