Toyota resumes production at all Japan plants

Workers give the final check on Yaris compact sedans at a plant in Ohira in Miyagi Prefecture. File photo

Toyota Motor Corp. says it has resumed production at all of its plants in Japan for the first time since last month’s massive earthquake and tsunami.

But the world’s No. 1 automaker said Monday that the plants would operate at half capacity due to parts shortages. Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said it remained unclear when Toyota would return to full production in Japan.

The magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 destroyed parts factories in north-eastern Japan, causing severe shortages of auto parts.

Hashimoto said the twin disasters have caused Toyota a production loss of 260,000 cars in Japan.