Japan is facing its worst crisis since the end of World War II. The devastating earthquake, tsunami and the threat of a meltdown at a nuclear power plant have not only caused heavy casualties and severe damage, but also distrupted its economy and the global supply chain for many industries.
Last update: Wednesday 21 March 2012 [137 news items]
Global LCD monitor OEM shipments drop by 30% in February
Mar 25, 12:06
Global LCD monitor OEM shipments in February dropped by 30% due to labor shortage and fewer work days caused by the Lunar New Year holidays, and the top-10 manufacturers' shipments...
Digitimes Insight: Sony PS3 supply may run tight due to quake-hit laser diode production
Mar 25, 11:46
The massive earthquake in Japan has impacted the supply chain of Blu-ray Disc (BD) players. Blue laser diodes used in BD players' optical pick-up head units (OPU) are mainly produced...
Supply of ODD components unaffected by Japan earthquake
Mar 25, 01:35
The supply of components for optical disc drives (ODDs) for notebooks is unlikely to suffer a shortage due to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan as major Japan-based suppliers...
Japan earthquake impacts auto industry, says IHS
Mar 24, 14:51
The earthquake and subsequent tsunami have impacted the entire automotive industry supply chain in Japan, including the infotainment segment, according to IHS iSuppli. This will have...
Sony, Nintendo console sales impacted by Japan earthquake
Mar 24, 01:25
Supply of Sony's Blu-ray drive pick-up heads is facing danger of seeing shortages as the plants of Sony Shiraishi Semiconductor, a Blu-ray drive pick-up head manufacturing subsidiary...
Taiwan passive component material suppliers seeing uptick in orders
Mar 24, 01:10
Aluminum foil maker Liton Technology and Leatec Fine Ceramic, a supplier of chip resistor substrates, are both seeing increases in orders amid uncertainty over the supply line from...
Digitimes Insight: Japan earthquake to affect several major IT industries of Korea
Mar 23, 15:05
The earthquake in Japan will bring a significant impact on South Korea, which heavily depends on Japan for the supply of many components and materials.
DRAM contract prices up 3% in 2H March
Mar 23, 14:13
Contract prices for DRAM memory received a boost in the second half of March 2011, amid concerns about a potential wafer shortage stemming from Japan's recent earthquake.
Digitimes Insight: Japan quake likely to cause major disruptions to auto supply chain
Mar 23, 01:50
The earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, the area where the country's major car and parts manufacturing is, will likely cause significant disruptions to the auto industry's...
Sony expects to suspend production plant for high-end models, Foxconn expected to gain orders
Mar 23, 01:45
In addition to the five production plants in the middle to southern part of Japan which will be affect by supply shortages of materials and components caused by the recent earthquake...
No order cancellations from Japan clients, says TSMC chairman
Mar 23, 01:20
Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), indicated that though the supply chain was disrupted by the Japan earthquake, clients in Japan have not...
Mar 22, 15:00
The Japan earthquake has resulted in the suspension of one-quarter of the global production of silicon wafers used to make semiconductors, according to IHS iSuppli. The 25% reduction...
Digitimes Insight: Japan earthquake impact on IC packaging industry
Mar 22, 14:10
Though several major IC packaging material suppliers have resumed operations at their earthquake-affected plants, there is still growing concern that production will be hampered by...
Digitimes Insight: Quake will not have serious impact on OLED material supply
Mar 22, 13:51
Japan is an important supplier of upstream OLED materials. Sumitomo Chemical and Showa Denko are the main material producers of polymer-based OLED, and Idemitsu Kosan and Mitsui Chemicals...
Cal-Comp, Min Aik unaffected by WD-Hitachi GST merger, Japan earthquake
Mar 22, 11:00
Taiwan-based hard disk drive (HDD) component maker Cal-Comp Electronics and its Thailand-based counterpart Min Aik Technology have not been substantially influenced by Western Digital's...
China-based makers of fiber-optic cable foresee impact from Japan earthquake, say Taiwan makers
Mar 22, 02:15
China-based makers of fiber-optic cable used to lay FTTx networks are worried about short supply of optical fiber perform, a prefabricated material, from Japan due to the earthquake...
Digitimes Insight: Japan earthquake impacts three major fab-tool suppliers
Mar 21, 11:47
Three major Japan-based suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment have suspended operations at several of their plants in the earthquake-ravaged areas with no timeframe for...
Digitimes Insight: Japan earthquake to affect HDD industry
Mar 21, 10:50
The global hard disk drive (HDD) industry, already facing challenges from solid state drives (SSDs), cloud computing and limitation of vertical read-write technologies, is expected...
Japan earthquake prompts Advantech to start stockpiling inventory for 3Q11, says paper
Newswatch - Mar 18, 16:11
Taiwan-based industrial PC (IPC) maker Advantech has begun stockpiling inventory due to supply chain disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake, as the company has significant demand...
Japan earthquake to upset LCD TV supply chain
Mar 18, 15:59
The global LCD TV supply chain has been upset by the earthquake in Japan on March 11, and shipments of upstream materials and components for LCD TVs have been hampered.
Digitimes Insight: Earthquake impacts two major Japan LCD stepper makers
Mar 18, 15:50
Looking at TFT LCD equipment supply, although South Korea has improved its own equipment production capability in recent years, it still relies heavily on Japan for PECVD, sputter...
Digitimes Insight: Japan represents over 30% of IGBT production, slight impact from quake
Mar 18, 14:52
The impact the Japan earthquake has on photovoltaic (PV) inverters will be determined by the supply of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) since Japan represents 30% of global...
Japan earthquake: Impact analysis from Semico
Mar 18, 12:02
Damage reports released in the past few days confirm original assessments, according to Semico Research. There are only a few semiconductor manufacturing fabs that sustained substantial...
Digitimes Insight: Japan LCD component supplies see minimal impact from quake
Mar 18, 11:48
As the epicenter of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 was located close to the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi, the local area has...
Japan earthquake: PCB production in Taiwan unaffected until end-April
Mar 18, 11:18
Most Taiwan-based PCB makers have stated that inventory levels of raw materials stockpiled in their warehouses are currently still at full which will enable them to continue to operate...
Digitimes Insight: Japan digital camera plant shutdown to only have small impact on production
Mar 18, 10:38
Panasonic, Canon and Nikon have temporarily closed their digital camera and component plants in northeastern Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Powerchip considers using epi wafers if Japan supply squeezes
Mar 17, 14:25
Taiwan-based DRAM maker Powerchip Technology reportedly is considering adopting epitaxial wafers if supplies of wafers by major producers such as Shin-Etsu Handotai remain disrupted...
Elpida says packaging and testing unit back in operation
Mar 17, 12:35
Elpida Memory has announced that Akita Elpida Memory, a packaging and testing subsidiary of Elpida, has resumed production on restoration of electricity supply.
Japan earthquake has little impact on supply of quartz components, say Taiwan makers
Mar 17, 12:12
The supply from upstream quartz component providers including Kyocera and Sumitomo should remain smooth as their plants are mostly far away from the areas of Japan worst-hit by the...
Digitimes Insight: Japan earthquake has little impact on wireless communication industry
Mar 17, 12:04
The earthquake offshore of Japan should have little impact on the wireless communications industry because, unlike in semiconductors and panels, Japan-based companies do not play...
Digitimes Insight: PC component supply unaffected by quake, but automotive electronics may take hit
Mar 17, 10:28
The PC component supply chain has been little affected by the earthquake-tsunami that hit Japan on March 11, as component makers have moved most of their production to China along...
Japan earthquake: Taiwan digital camera industry to see limited short-term impact
Mar 17, 01:55
Taiwan-based digital camera makers Altek and Ability, in response to Japan's earthquake, pointed out that they have already confirmed with their Japan-based upstream CCD suppliers...
TSMC reiterates 2011 sales growth target
Mar 17, 01:00
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) target of 20% growth in 2011 sales remains unchanged, chairman and CEO Morris Chang said on March 16. TSMC expects no material...
HTC supply chain not impacted by Japan earthquake, says CEO
Mar 16, 16:49
Taiwan-based smartphone vendor HTC's supply chain has not been influenced by the earthquake in Japan, and March-April shipments are on schedule, according to company CEO Peter Chou...
Digitimes Insight: Rolling black-outs to hit Japan-based LCD TV vendors
Mar 16, 16:48
Production of Japan-based major LCD TV vendors such as Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic and Sharp will not be significantly affected by the 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck...
Chicony seeks growth from non-notebook product lines
IT + CE | 2min ago
Taiwan April export order value slightly down on month, year, says MOEA
Bits + chips | 11min ago
Global large-size panel shipments exceed 65 million units in April 2013, says WitsView
Displays | 12min ago
Supply chain to begin volume shipments of new Xbox console orders in 3Q13
IT + CE | 14min ago
MediaTek 2Q13 sales likely to beat guidance
Bits + chips | 27min ago
Taiwan makers expected to benefit from Lenovo targeting smartphones in 2013
Mobile + telecom | 29min ago
Digitimes Research: Taiwan LCD driver IC shipments rise 22% in 1Q13
Bits + chips | 31min ago
Taiwan panel makers lower pricing for Ultra HD TV panels
Displays | 33min ago
Taiwan April export order value slightly down on month, year, says MOEA
Before Going to Press | 25min ago
Global large-size panel shipments exceed 65 million units in April 2013, says WitsView
Before Going to Press | 29min ago
Touchscreen IC, LED driver IC suppliers to post strong May
Before Going to Press | 30min ago
Win Semi expects to post double-digit revenue growth in 2013
Before Going to Press | 31min ago
TPK expected to see decline in touch screen notebook panel shipments during 2Q13
Before Going to Press | 31min ago
Demand for large-size driver ICs to boom in 2H13, say backend firms
Before Going to Press | 34min ago
Epistar expects revenue proportion for LED used in lighting to rise to 30%
Before Going to Press | 34min ago
HTC cooperates with KDDI to launch HTC One in Japan market
Before Going to Press | 36min ago
TSMC presence in advance process market remains strong
Before Going to Press | 45min ago
Innolux expected to ship 1 million TOD units in 2013
Before Going to Press | 46min ago
- Trial production of 5th-generation iPad to begin soon, say Taiwan makers
- Handset vendors in discussion over producing 6-inch and larger phones
- Taiwan component makers conservative about growth in 2H13 notebook shipments
- Taiwan-based analog IC suppliers facing increasing competition from rivals in China
- Commentary: High-end LED lighting in demand
- AUO supply of iPad mini panels in 2Q13 expected to slip sequentially
- More firms provide crystal-less USB 3.0 device controllers
- BLU makers report different results in 1Q13
- ChipMOS capex for 2013 to reach NT$2.5-2.8 billion
- BIOS designers feel the impact from weak PC market
- Apple MacBook orders to rise 20% sequentially in 2Q13
- Capella tops analog IC suppliers with highest EPS in 1Q13
- LED firms to lower prices through improved technology
- Digitimes Research: Europe solar trade tariffs may slow down market growth
- Getac aims at expanding ruggedized PC market share to 30%
- Ruggedized PC vendors eyeing 7- to 8-inch tablet market
- Wintek to reportedly set up joint venture 6G touch panel factory in China with Nanjing Panda Electronics
- China market: Several smartphone components in short supply
- Taiwan LED firms to attend Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition 2013
- Asia Pacific leads worldwide mobile phone sales growth in 1Q13, says Gartner
- SMA Technology sees 1Q13 revenues fall on year
- SunPower announces fiscal 2013 financial guidance
- LED plant factory market to reach US$1.2 billion in 2013, says PIDA
- Equipment maker Acter sees profits down in 1Q13
- Asustek unveils Intel 8 series motherboards
- Releases
- White papers
- Bulletin
- Enriching multiple MEMS applications for mobile devices
- Dialog Semiconductor expands into ultrabooks and all-in-one PCs with a new generation of multi-touch display sensor ICs
- Altera Cyclone V GT FPGA is industry first low-power FPGA to achieve compliance for PCIe Gen2 at 5 Gbps
- Digi-Key adds Califia Lighting to line card of more than 650 global suppliers
- A Changing Landscape - Chilisin on the Rise
- Embracing the New Generation Intel Atom Family with DDR3 Memory Support
- Got The Message? Ensuring efficient and reliable delivery of content across a mission critical digital signage network
- Emb' Store On-Demand Software Service for Embedded Computing
- Efficient Network Management for Digital Signage
- Design Benefits of the MI/O Extension Solution
- ATO Solution Co., Ltd. to launch 1Gb SLC NAND Flash after 256Mb/512Mb mass production for the first time in Fab-less industry
- Chilisin's miniature power inductor in 0603/0805 sizes
- Chilisin introduces Thin-film chip inductor 0201 size
- Chilisin at 2012 electronics Munich A5/159 & 260
- Chilisin sunken-type molded power inductor for MXM Graphic application
20-May-2013 markets closed
| Last | Change |
| TAIEX (TSE) | 8377.05 | +8.86 | +0.11% |
| TSE electronic | 316.79 | +0.62 | +0.2% |
| GTSM (OTC) | 119.74 | +0.18 | +0.15% |
| OTC electronic | 144.06 | +0.15 | +0.1% |
- Did Allwinner outsell Intel, Qualcomm? (May 8) - EE Times
- Imec and Renesas collaborate on ultra-low power short range radios (May 16) - Company release
- AMD announces memory modules designed for gaming (May 8) - x-bit Labs
- Fabless suppliers play increasing role in IC market (May 1) - IC Insights
- Ex-Palm chief joins Qualcomm's board (May 6) - CNET
- Chipmaker Infineon says auto orders help lift outlook (May 2) - Reuters
- Intel may look to outrun foundry competitors with new CEO Krzanich (May 2) - PC World
- Chipmaker Altera's quarterly revenue below expectations (April 25) - Reuters
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- Coto Technology claims industry's smallest MEMS reed switch
- Silicon Labs introduces single-chip digital radio receivers for CE devices
- Memory makers see better profits as chip pricing improves
- Globalfoundries quietly becoming a threat to competitors
- Digitimes Research: Mobile devices to drive 2013 DRAM market
Samsung reportedly to outsource more chips
Samsung Electronics reportedly is looking to expand the purchase of memory products, including mobile DRAM chips and eMMC NAND devices, from outside.
Micron reaches deal to acquire Elpida
Micron Technology and Elpida Memory's trustees have reached an agreement for Micron to acquire Elpida. Micron also announced a separate agreement with...
Taiwan DRAM firms mull fab sales
Taiwan-based DRAM chipmakers including Powerchip Technology and ProMOS Technologies are considering selling fabs in order to preserve cash and strengthen...
Specializing in the manufacture of memory chips and LCD panels, Samsung's component operations are undergoing a focus shift to advanced process design...
Opportunity lies for MEMS energy harvesting: Q&A with Holst Centre general manager Bert Gyselinckx
Digitimes recently interviewed Bert Gyselinckx, general manager of the Holst Centre in Eindhoven, to...
MEMS-enabled energy harvesting: Q&A with MIG executive director Karen Lightman
Digitimes recently spoke with Karen Lightman, the executive director of MEMS Industry Group (MIG),...
Complete mobile platform solutions: Q&A with Broadcom executive VP Robert Rango
In a relentless competition against rivals including Qualcomm, Nvidia and Media in the smartphone chipset...
Focused on embedded flash: Q&A with Spansion EVP Glenda Dorchak
Spansion recently announced a joint development with United Microelectronics (UMC) to integrate its...
- Taiwan DRAM module industry overview - Jun 2011
The year 2010 represented a peak in recent years for the DRAM module industry. Optimism surfaced in the second half of 2009 thanks to a return of demand on the...
- Taiwan DRAM-module industry overview - May 2010
Back to 2006 when total revenues for the third-party module market reached US$12.2 billion, Taiwan had over 15 vendors shipping DRAM modules under their own brand...
- Taiwan semiconductor equipment industry overview - Aug 2008
Worries about a global economic downturn have taken a toll on a number of industries, with the semiconductor industry being no exception. Players in the semiconductor...
- Foundry overview - Sep 2006
Taiwan's semiconductor industry has begun to out-run its global peers, once more, in 2006. This followed a trough in 2004, caused by over-inventory, plus volatility...
- 2H 2012 global TFT panel market forecast
Digitimes Research predicts there will be a total of 389 million large-sized TFT LCD panels shipped in 2H12, with 195 million in the third quarter and 194 million in the fourth quarter - with the total representing a 7.6% increase over the first half of this year.
- Trends and shipment forecast for 2H 2012 smartphone market
Smartphone shipments in 2010 and 2011 both enjoyed growth of more than 60%. Growth will decelerate in 2012 due to the high base, as well as a slowdown in consumer spending in Western Europe.
- 4Q12 trends in the Greater China touch panel industry
In the second half of 2012, the market focus is on the iPhone 5, which uses in-cell touch screen technology. Due to the integration of display panels and touch panel functions, the high technological threshold will mean Taiwan touch panel makers are unable to enter the iPhone supply chain.