TOKYO (March 15, 2011) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd. (YRC) will donate $610,000 to relief efforts organized in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit northeastern Japan, while at the same time assessing damage to its plants in the area to determine when they might safely be restarted.
Yokohama reported no casualties among its employees at operations in the affected zone.
Of its plants in the affected zone, Yokohama reports only the Ibaraki hose and sealing products plant sustained damage. Immediately after the quake, though, YRC suspended operations at its plants in Mishima, Hiratsuka, Hitatsuka-Higashi, Hamatite, Nagano and Ibaraki.
Operations at these plants, except Ibaraki, were partially resumed, YRC said, after it confirmed their safety. The firm also is addressing measures to deal with power supply restrictions and the procuring of raw materials.
“We are now working to determine a schedule for returns to full operation, taking into account power supply restrictions, availability of raw materials and others,” YRC said.
The company said other plants—in Shinshiro, Mie and Onomichi—continue to operate normally, but the company is addressing the issue of raw materials procurement.