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 suffered catastrophic damage. But Miyagi is located some distance from the areas where Japan's panel industry is concentrated...

Panasonic, Canon and Nikon have temporarily closed their digital camera and component plants in northeastern Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Demand in the PV market is continuing to flourish into the first half of 2011, and as shortages of materials continue, the effect of the March 11 earthquake on the polysilicon materials sector is being closely watched. The four Japan-based firms producing polysilicon materials mainly utilize their capacity to supply semiconductors, with the exception of M. Setek...

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 a major role in this market.

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 with PC makers.

Media outlets worldwide are offering advice on various ways readers can provide support to the growing crisis in Japan. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Yahoo have provided contact information and links to several established agencies, such as The Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and Save The Children that are planning to provide relief services to Japan.

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 off the northeast coast of Japan on March 11, as their TV assembly plants are not located in the disaster areas. The four Japan-based vendors are expected to account for 35.6% of the global LCD TV market in 2011.

In the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan, possible shortages of notebook-use lithium batteries are a concern for the PC sector although global demand for notebooks is currently low due to seasonality.

AU Optronics (AUO) may see faster progress in its TFT-LCD panel mass production in China than its Korea-based competitors, as the government in Taiwan has lifted all restrictions on its companies acquiring or investing in China-based LCD panel makers.

South Korea's LED supply chain relies on Japan's Kyocera and Namiki for sapphire substrates, and Nichia and Toyoda Gosei for epitaxial wafers, chip packaging and LED phosphor materials.