Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi are now restarting their factories in Japan after production was disrupted by a major earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026, while Honda has partially resumed operations at one facility.
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake prompted Nissan to pause production at two of its domestic plants, Honda to suspend car and motorcycle production across four of its Japanese sites, and Mitsubishi to close its Mizushima plant where it makes kei cars for both Mitsubishi and Nissan.
Toyota temporarily stopped operations at several Toyota and Lexus facilities.
None of the four automakers have reported any injuries at the factories. However, Japan’sDaily Jidosha Shimbunreported three workers were injured at automotive-parts supplier Astemo Uki, which is affiliated with Honda, though their injuries were not considered serious.
All four automakers have toldCarExpertthey do not expect the shutdowns to disrupt Australian vehicle supply, which according to Automotive News cost Nissan around 5000 vehicles in lost output.
Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi have announced restart schedules, while Honda has resumed some operations at its Kumamoto plant but will keep three car-production sites closed until at least August 19.
Honda’s Kumamoto Factory in Ozu, northeast of Kumamoto City, was the closest of the affected automaker production sites to the earthquake’s epicentre.
The facility, which produces motorcycles and power products rather than cars, suspended production immediately after the quake.
It had been scheduled to remain closed until Friday, August 7, but Honda restarted some operations on August 5.
“We will continue to gradually resume production and aim to return to normal operations as soon as possible,” Honda said in a statement.
Honda also suspended production at its Saitama Factory on August 5.
The site includes the Yorii Automobile Plant, which builds the Civic, Civic Type R, ZR-V and Prelude models sold in Australia. The wider Saitama operation also includes an engine plant.
Production was also paused at Honda’s Suzuka Factory, where the Honda Super-One electric vehicle due in Australian showrooms in October 2026 will be built, and at Honda Auto Body’s Yokkaichi plant.
Honda has not announced when production will restart at Saitama, Suzuka or Yokkaichi.
The company says the three sites will remain closed until at least August 19 because of continuing parts-supply issues, but it has not confirmed they will reopen on August 20.
The affected Nissan and Toyota factories are in northern Fukuoka Prefecture, considerably further from the epicentre than Honda’s Kumamoto plant.
Nissan Motor Kyushu, which builds the X-Trail for Australia, and Nissan Shatai Kyushu, which produces the Patrol, were scheduled to return to normal production on August 6 and August 7, respectively.
Toyota Motor Kyushu’s Miyata, Kanda and Kokura plants were also scheduled to restart on August 6 after production was suspended on July 29.
The three facilities produce engines and hybrid components for Toyota and Lexus vehicles, while the Miyata plant assembles the Lexus UX,NX,RXand ESsold in Australia.
Toyota’s Tahara plant in Aichi Prefecture remains closed until August 17 after earthquake-related parts shortages disrupted production.
Toyota’s earthquake-related shutdown runs into its previously scheduled summer break over August 8-16.
Mitsubishi recommenced production at the Mizushima plant, its furthest from the earthquake epicentre, on August 5.
In a July 29 statement, Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chairman Koji Sato said: “The automotive industry has also been significantly affected, with many of our colleagues, including dealers and suppliers, suffering damage from the disaster.
“To help ensure the safety and well-being of the 5.5 million people involved in Japan’s automotive industry, we will respond to this situation with the full commitment and unity of the entire industry.”
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