Japan earthquake halts Toyota production

Toyota Motor (TM) said Wednesday it will halt production at all its factories in Japan for the rest of the week because of quake-induced damage at a major parts supplier. The temporary closure of auto parts maker Riken's plant at Kashiwazaki city, near the epicenter of Monday's magnitude 6.8 quake, forced the halt, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said. Toyota will assess the situation at Riken, which supplies key transmission and engine parts to Toyota, before deciding whether to resume production on Monday, Nolasco said.