SAPPORO -- The earthquake that struck Hokkaido early Thursday caused major power failures, forcing many factories and shops to suspend their operations.
Due to continuing communication problems, the full extent of the damage has not been confirmed in many cases.
Beer breweries stopped their production lines due to power failures, including Sapporo Breweries Ltd.'s Hokkaido factory in Eniwa, which had been operating during the night. The Eniwa factory mainly produces beer, including Sapporo's Black Label, one of its leading products. The company said it was not sure when production could be resumed.
Operations were also suspended at Kirin Brewery Co.'s factory in Chitose, Hokkaido, and at Asahi Breweries Ltd.'s factory in Sapporo.
Two Calbee Group factories in Hokkaido that produce potato chips and other products likewise stopped production.
Other shutdowns included Toyota Motor Hokkaido Inc. in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corp. The Tomakomai facility, which produces transmissions, has also decided not to operate during daytime.
Automobile parts manufacturer Aisin Hokkaido Co. in Tomakomai, a subsidiary of Aisin Seiki Co. that belongs to the Toyota Group, similarly suspended production.
Automobile dealerships all over Hokkaido were forced to suspend their business due to a lack of power.
A fire broke out around 4 a.m. on Thursday at Mitsubishi Steel Muroran Inc. in Muroran, Hokkaido, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co. The fire has been extinguished, and no casualties were reported.
Local factories of Oji Holdings Corp. and Nippon Paper Industries Co. also stopped operations, and convenience store chains were hurrying to confirm the state of their outlets.
Seven-Eleven Japan Co. said about 970 of its approximately 1,000 outlets in Hokkaido were suffering from power failure. The company said that it is letting each outlet decide whether to continue operating.
Lawson Inc., which has about 660 outlets in Hokkaido, said more than 300 of them had suspended operations for reasons including power failures.
FamilyMart Co. said almost all of its about 230 local outlets in Hokkaido were suffering from power failures. Some had suspended operations, according to the company spokesperson.
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