Canon Inc. announced temporary suspension of operations at Headquarters and selected offices in Japan

TOKYO, April 6, 2020 - The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rapidly spread throughout Tokyo and other large urban areas. Amid this situation, our highest priorities are to protect the health of our employees and their families, neighboring families and businesses, as well as customers and business partners, and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Therefore, Canon Inc. announces that the following offices will temporarily suspend operations from Tuesday, April 7 through Friday, April 17.

Offices to be closed

Company Headquarters: 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku, Tokyo 146-8501, Japan
Kawasaki Office: 70-1 Yanagicho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 212-8602, Japan
Kosugi Office: 9-1, Imaikami-cho, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-8501, Japan
Tamagawa Office: 16-1, Shimonoge 3-chome, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-8512, Japan
Yako office: 451, Tsukagoshi 3-chome, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 212-8530, Japan

This temporary suspension of operations has been enacted for reasons of health and safety, and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. There have been no infections among employees at any of the above offices.

We sincerely apologize for any difficulties caused to our customers and business partners as a result of this decision, and greatly appreciate your understanding.

We will continue to respond to the changing situation, maintaining as our highest priorities the protection the health of our employees and their families, neighboring families and businesses, customers and business partners, and to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. We will review and revise our response as the situation evolves.

Canon idles 5 camera facilities because of Coronavirus impact

As my readers know, I am in Japan on a travel and wildlife photography tour with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III camera. Upon my return, I will write a real world review of the new body. You can follow my travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and see my equipment bag and works on MichaelDanielHo.com

Personally, I feel very safe here but the Japaneses authorities are keen on protecting the upcoming Summer Olympics. There are strong suggestions from the central government to many businesses to allow employees to work from home or shut down their operations for two weeks to stop the spread of the virus. Many schools and colleges are closed for a few weeks as well.

Accordingly, Canon is apparently idling five facilities based in the Oita, Miyazaki and Nagasaki prefectures, from March 2nd to March 13th, ostensibly because of interruption of the supply chain from China. There are no employees who are affected by the virus at this time.

The shuttered plants produce SLR cameras, interchangeable lenses, and security cameras. There will be an impact on the timely delivery of Canon equipment, like the upcoming EOS R5 and R6 mirrorless cameras.