On 11th March 2011 one of the world’s worst earthquakes in recent years struck off the coast of Japan measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale and resulting in a ten-metre wave surging inland off the north coast of the country.

The widespread destruction this natural disaster caused resulted in shock and horror around the world as global newsrooms reported on the human devastation the earthquake caused as killer waves swept through cities and residential areas destroying homes and families.

One month on as the world takes a deep breath and Japan systematically starts to rebuild the country we start getting a handle on how reliant the global market is on this island nation in East Asia. This economic powerhouse boasts the third-largest economy in the world and is the globes fourth largest exporter meaning world markets and industry around the world are hit by the aftermath of this disaster.

Only yesterday Honda announced that UK output will be halved due to a shortage of Japanese parts as a result of supply chain disruptions at parts suppliers in Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami there.

As Paul Dixon, Managing Director for Quality International Ltd explains, whilst this could only be the tip of the iceberg the Japanese are sure to get things back on track as soon as is humanly possible.

‘First and foremost our thoughts go to the people of Japan and particularly those families who were directly impacted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last month. The systematic rebuilding of the country is testament to the people of Japan and show why its people are the country’s greatest resource,’ explains Dixon.

‘What we have also seen is what a true global powerhouse Japan has developed into and how reliant the world market is now on this country. However, I am confident from what I have seen that in industry production will be quickly recovered and more importantly the country will do everything it can to get back to some sort of normality soon.’