TSMC gradually resumes Japan Kumamoto plant operations after quake

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co said late on Tuesday it had begun gradually resuming operations at its Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing plant in Kumamoto prefecture after a strong earthquake prompted a precautionary worker evacuation, Reuters reported. A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the prefecture earlier on Tuesday. TSMC said all personnel at the Japan site were confirmed safe after evacuation under internal safety procedures. In an emailed statement, the company said post-earthquake structural inspections were completed, structures were confirmed safe, and operations were gradually resuming, with detailed inspections and impact assessments ongoing. TSMC said the JASM construction site was unaffected, though parts of construction work had been suspended as a safety precaution because of possible aftershocks.