It seems every industry has been affected in some way by the natural disasters that hit Japan over the past several days, yet another setback for a nation already struggling with the tragic loss of life and property following last week's massive earthquake, the tsunami that followed and the threat of radioactive fallout still looming. Now we're hearing that Sony has closed down six factories in northeastern Japan, where Blu-ray Discs and other popular products are manufactured.
Initial reports, which state that the corporation has not only stopped producing Blu-rays, but also batteries and magnetic heads. The company has evacuated several production plants for the safety of its workers, as they must assess the damage and see exactly how safe their plants are.
There's no word yet as to how this move will affect end consumers. We know the company has a stockpile of discs made from past production lines, so it can keep them rolling out for the time being. If the stoppage is sustained, however, we may be seeing a shortage in the future.
Our hearts break for the people of Japan. On behalf of everyone at IGN, we send our dearest sympathies to those affected by the devastation that has occurred on their soil. We will keep you informed as this continues to develop.
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