March 13, 2011
JAMA Outlines Response to Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake
Toshiyuki Shiga, Chairman, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.
The massive earthquake that struck off the coast of northeast Japan in the afternoon of March 11, now officially known as the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake, has caused enormous destruction over a wide geographical area. On behalf of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, I extend our most profound sympathy to all those who have been impacted by this disaster and our heartfelt condolences to those who have lost family, friends and possessions in its wake.
In addition to the tragic and extensive loss of life, the damage to homes and infrastructure is staggering. All of us at JAMA will be doing everything we can to support rescue and assistance operations and the recovery effort overall.
The earthquake has also caused damage to automakers and numerous automotive suppliers, as well as to sales and other auto-industry operations.
JAMA member manufacturers are at present in the process of assessing the exact status of the losses, even as they gear up for the recovery effort. As regards the resumption of operations at their business facilities in the Kanto and Tohoku regions, the automakers are responding to the Japanese government’s request to treat as the top priority the securing of the electric power supply, now threatened in the aftermath of the March 11 disaster. In line with that request, they are striving to reduce power consumption at their facilities to the greatest possible degree.
Finally, I wish to express our deepest appreciation for the sympathy and support that have been extended to the Japanese people at this most difficult time.
