Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Honda are gradually resuming vehicle production in Japan after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, 2026, forcing several major factories to temporarily shut down.
The earthquake affected manufacturing operations across multiple regions, with Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi suspending production because of safety inspections and disruptions to parts supplies.
No injuries were reported at the automakers’ factories. However, three workers at Honda-affiliated parts supplier Astemo Uki were reportedly injured, although their injuries were not considered serious.
Despite the disruption, the manufacturers say the temporary shutdowns are not expected to significantly affect Australian vehicle supply.
Nissan was among the hardest hit, with the production stoppage reportedly resulting in around 5,000 vehicles of lost output.
Nissan’s two affected plants in northern Fukuoka Prefecture have now begun returning to normal operations. Nissan Motor Kyushu, which produces the X-Trail for markets including Australia, was scheduled to restart on August 6.
Meanwhile, Nissan Shatai Kyushu, which builds the Patrol, was scheduled to return to normal production on August 7.
Toyota has also started restarting several facilities.
The company’s Miyata, Kanda and Kokura plants operated by Toyota Motor Kyushu were scheduled to resume production on August 6 after being closed since July 29.
These factories produce engines, hybrid components and several Lexus models, including the UX, NX, RX and ES.
However, Toyota’s Tahara plant in Aichi Prefecture is expected to remain closed until August 17 due to earthquake-related parts shortages and the company’s scheduled summer break.
Mitsubishi resumed production at its Mizushima plant on August 5. The facility manufactures kei cars for both Mitsubishi and Nissan.
Honda continues to face the biggest disruption.
Its Kumamoto Factory, located closest to the earthquake’s epicentre, partially restarted operations on August 5. The plant mainly produces motorcycles and power products rather than passenger cars.
Honda says production will be gradually restored as conditions improve.
However, three of the company’s major car-production facilities — Saitama, Suzuka and Yokkaichi — are expected to remain closed until at least August 19 because of ongoing parts-supply problems.
Honda’s Saitama operation includes the Yorii Automobile Plant, which produces models including the Civic, Civic Type R, ZR-V and Prelude.
The Suzuka Factory is also affected and is expected to produce the upcoming Honda Super-One electric vehicle.
Japan’s automotive industry is now working to restore normal production while suppliers continue to recover from the earthquake.
Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association chairman Koji Sato said the industry had been significantly affected and promised a coordinated response to support the millions of people working across Japan’s automotive sector.
With Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi already restarting production, attention is now focused on Honda and remaining parts suppliers as they work toward a full recovery.
