Sony resumed full operations at its Kumamoto Technology Center on August 21, 2026.
A major earthquake halted production at the primary image sensor factory on July 28, 2026. The company initiated a phased reopening on August 4. The facility reached pre-earthquake operating capacity within its mid-August target.
This recovery took less than one month. A 2016 earthquake in the same region caused a shutdown lasting several months. Improved countermeasures and less severe damage enabled the accelerated timeline.
The Kumamoto plant supplies critical sensors for digital cameras and automotive systems. The rapid resumption mitigates the risk of long-term product delays for global brands.