Japan fears chips crisis
Japanese suppliers have joined the growing list of global automotive companies warning of possible “serious” shortages of semiconductors.
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) says carmakers there are working with suppliers to address the issue.
“We have confirmed that a Dutch semiconductor manufacturer [Nexperia] has notified parts manufacturers that it may no longer be able to guarantee deliveries,” says JAMA chairman Masanori Katayama, pictured.
“We recognise this matter could have a serious impact on the global production operations of our member companies.”
Netherlands-based Nexperia is in a trade dispute centred on chips it mostly tests and packages in China for shipment around the world. China restricted those exports after the Dutch government took over the company.
In Japan, Honda has yet to receive direct notice from Nexperia. However, it confirms some of its suppliers use semiconductors supplied by the company.
So far, no production site has experienced suspensions, says spokesman Keitaro Nakamura, and Honda is investigating supply and evaluating the future impact.
He adds: “If an impact becomes apparent, we will minimise the impact on production by taking appropriate measures as necessary, such as inventory allocation, linear review of production plans and considering substitution with equivalent products.”
Nissan is assessing the situation and countermeasures although a spokesperson would not comment on whether production plans have been impacted. Toyota is also investigating potential impacts, but is unable to offer more details.
Subaru declined to comment but confirmed its factories were operating normally as of late October 23, while Mitsubishi is monitoring developments and working with its suppliers.
The fallout in Japan follows Volkswagen informing its staff that it cannot rule out production stoppages due to supply-chain issues stemming from the dispute.
How we got to this stage
In 2019, Nexperia was acquired by Wingtech, a Chinese company making electronic components for cellphones and computers.
Citing “serious governance shortcomings” and concerns over “the availability of semiconductor products critical to the European industry,” the Dutch government took control of the company on September 30. On October 4, Beijing banned Nexperia exports from China.
At a briefing on October 16, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce in China blamed America as the perpetrator behind the Dutch government’s action.
According to Nexperia, the US Bureau of Industry and Security issued a rule on September 29 to extend export controls to companies at least 50 per cent owned by companies on the US Entity List, which is in practice a blacklist.
The rule affects Nexperia because of its status as a wholly owned subsidiary of Wingtech, which has been on the entity list since December 2024, according to Automotive News.
