Japan quake halts auto, semiconductor productionThe 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck southern Japan last week halted operations at numerous automotive and semiconductor factories, potentially disrupting the country’s manufacturing ecosystem, Yahoo News reports, citing Reuters. Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Company Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation suspended some production in the region, while several chipmakers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, reported operational disruptions due to the high force of the jolt.