Report: Japanese camera makers could see supply chain constraints due to supplier factory fire

Australian imaging publication, Inside Imaging, is reporting that some camera manufacturers could see supply chain issues following an October fire at an AKM Semiconductor audio chip factory in Nobeoka, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

According to the report, the fire started on October 20 and burned uncontrolled for three days, effectively destroying the entire factory, which products various audio chip components used by ‘most Japanese camera makers.’ Inside Imaging stops short of stating what components in particular camera manufacturers source from AKM Semiconductor. It does mention AKM produces analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), but there’s no confirmation whether or not these ADCs are used by any camera manufacturers.

A close-up of the burned AKM Semiconductor factory, captured by Nikogorio and used with permission.

Inside Imaging claims to have been told by a source that Canon, Nikon and Sony ‘have already pulled back support for Black Friday promotions’ due to a shortage of supply, but that is yet to be confirmed elsewhere and we have yet been able to confirm that ourselves. We have contacted representatives from Canon, Nikon and Sony for comment and clarification on the matters and will update this article accordingly when we receive responses.

According to other reports, there were no casualties from the fire and all 400 employees were safely evacuated before the fire spread. Repairing the factory will take at least six months, according to SemiMedia, who also notes the audio industry is panic buying to ensure manufacturers’ supply chain isn’t affect in the near future.