Japanese Manufacturers in Normal Operations in Thailand

Bangkok, May 23 (Jiji Press)--Japanese manufacturers remained in normal operations in Thailand on Friday, the day after a military coup in the Southeast Asian country. Toyota Motor Corp. <7203>, Honda Motor Co. <7267>, Hino Motors Ltd. <7205>, Isuzu Motors Ltd. <7202> and Yamaha Motor Co. <7272> resumed normal operations after suspending nighttime activities Thursday night due to a nationwide curfew. Toshiba Corp. <6502>, Panasonic Corp. <6752> and Mitsubishi Electric Corp. <6503> continued normal manufacturing operations on Friday as they had on Thursday night. Mazda Motor Corp. <7261> opened as normal Friday morning. Nissan Motor Co. <7201> is adjusting work schedules for its workers in Thailand to make sure that they do not need to go out during curfew hours. Major Japanese nonlife insurers have alerted local workers, but the alert level is the lowest. Managers at the firms will temporarily accept late arrivals by local workers and unscheduled standbys at home if public transportation is disrupted. No Japanese firms are known to have decided to send home the families of Japanese workers in Thailand. In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the Japanese government will make the utmost effort to secure the safety of Japanese nationals in Thailand. Suga said there have been no reports of problems for any Japanese people in Thailand. He also called for an early end to the turmoil and a speedy return to a democratically chosen government. Japan will take steps to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens and companies in the Southeast Asian country, where many Japanese firms operate, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshimitsu Motegi told a different news conference. In the retail and food sectors, major Japanese retailer Aeon Co. <8267> said its outlets in Thailand continued normal operations Friday although they were closed Thursday night. Restaurant chain Yoshinoya Holdings Co. <9861> also reported calm responses at Thai shops, adding that they operate for shorter hours. Separately, Economic and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari warned that Thailand could lose its key role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations if the political confusion is prolonged. Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki called Thai Ambassador to Japan Thanatip Upatising to the Foreign Ministry office in Tokyo to express concern. The ambassador said that he understood Japan's worries. END