IS CANON JAPAN WARNING U.S. OF RADIATED IMPORTED TONERS ?

IS CANON JAPAN WARNING U.S. OF RADIATED IMPORTED TONERS ?

Canon U.S.A. Update on Import of Products from Japan
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., March  2011 – We continue to monitor and analyze the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the areas impacted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We are carefully assessing the situation, and its impact on production and operations.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) has announced that it is carefully monitoring and assessing the potential for radiological contamination. It is using several types of radiation detection equipment in air and sea ports, mail facilities, and elsewhere to scan cargo. CPB notes that it uses radiation equipment and operational protocols to resolve any safety risks. More information is available at http://www.usa.gov/Japan2011.shtml.

In addition, the facility of a subsidiary company — Fukushima Canon Inc. — was also said to have suffered significant damage. Thankfully there were no reported injuries at the facility, which produces inkjet printers, print heads, and ink tanks, but this facility was also expected to take some time to return to operation. Several other facilities were also closed at the last report, and their operational status going forwards was still being determined. These included the Toride plant (office imaging products, etc.), and the Ami plant (LC and semiconductor exposure equipment), plus four other subsidiaries — Canon Precision Inc. (micro motors, miscellaneous sensors, toner cartridges), Canon Optron Inc. (optical crystals, evaporation materials), Canon Chemicals Inc.’s Iwama Plant (toner cartridges), and Canon Mold Co. Ltd. (plastic molding). No injuries were reported at any of these facilities.