Transportation and logistics are shaping up to be significant factors in determining the impact of the Japan earthquake and tsunami on electronics component manufacturers. Some highways, particularly those between Tokyo and the Northeastern impact areas, are limited to emergency or rescue vehicles. Sendai airport was heavily damaged, and train service is being affected by infrastructure damage and rolling blackouts.
- East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has suspended service on a number of lines in the affected region. View update
- Seven of the ports that suffered serious damage handle container cargo -- Sendai, Hachinohe, Hitachinaka, Ohahama, Kashima, Ofunato and Ishinomaki. These ports handled 1.3 percent of total Japanese container traffic in 2010. Radiation could pose a longer term risk if elevated levels are observed in Tokyo and Yokohama, which accounted for 38 percent of Japan’s container traffic in 2010. View update
- While Sendai Airport is currently inoperable, major airports in Japan are not noting significant impact from the earthquake.
- FedEx has resumed normal service throughout Japan, with the exception of Tohoku (large area north of Tokyo) and parts of Ibaraki prefectures (northeast of Tokyo). But it notes, “customers may experience extended delays in impacted areas of northeastern Japan due to the movement of relief and emergency supplies in these areas.” View update
- Like FedEX, DHL is experiencing service problems in the immediate vicinity of the tsunami, but it also notes that highway restrictions and fuel shortages may affect services in other regions. View update
- UPS identifies postal codes in six prefectures where it has suspended pick-up and delivery services. It notes delays may occur in other areas. View update
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