Japan plants shut down after quake, fuels economic fears

Some of Japan's biggest firms including Sony and Toyota shut down operations in southern Japan on Friday after the region was struck by a deadly earthquake, fuelling worries about disruption to supply lines and possible effects on the wider economy.

At least nine people were killed in Thursday night's 6.5-magnitude quake, which also toppled houses and buckled roads on the southwestern island of Kyushu.

With widespread damage to infrastructure, several companies – including in the steel, auto and technology sectors – said they had temporarily ceased production.

Exporter giants Toyota, Honda and Sony were carrying out safety checks assess possible damage to plants and those of suppliers.