TOKYO: It is difficult for Japanese manufacturers to bring all overseas supply chains to domestic footholds, Hiroaki Nakanishi, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, suggested Sunday.

As Japanese manufacturers rely heavily on China for their supply chains, the early spread of the new coronavirus in China disrupted their materials and parts procurement, causing a halt to production in Japan.

In response, the Japanese government has set up a subsidy program for businesses that increase domestic production.

On a television program, Nakanishi supported reviews of supply chains, saying that if a company relies on only one country, it would be affected seriously by a lockdown.

But he said, "Shifting everything to Japan would not be realistic."

On work style reform, Nakanishi said remote working and staggered commuting should be reflected in companies' daily operations. Their work systems and employee rating methods will also change, he said.

JIJI Press