KYOTO -- Murata Manufacturing will close a key plant in Japan until at least next week following the outbreak of a COVID cluster, raising concerns about a potential shortage of electronic components that are used in everything from smartphones and appliances to cars and data centers.
The outbreak occurred at a plant in Echizen, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, forcing the company to shut the plant to prevent further spread of the virus. As of Tuesday, 98 cases had been reported at the factory where 7,000 people work, including those from partner companies. The plant, run by subsidiary Fukui Murata Manufacturing, will be closed through Aug. 31.
