Harmonic Drive

The current situation in Japan

Dear Sir/Madam,

We have all heard and read of the devastating events in Japan. Within a very short time, the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis have inflicted     catastrophic destruction on the coastal regions of the country. The considerable damage caused to the nuclear reactors as a result has given rise to fear and anxiety all over the world.

We are in close contact with our cooperation partner Harmonic Drive Systems Inc. and can provide you with the following initial information regarding our partners in Japan:

Both the main plant in Hotaka (approx. 300 km west of Tokyo) and the office in Tokyo itself have been spared direct damage. Fortunately there has been no human loss or injury among our Japanese colleagues, their families and partner companies. Production, service and sales are not currently affected and business activities are able to continue.

As of yet we have no information on problems regarding deliveries from Japan.

If there are any changes, we will inform you here.

Check for radioactive contamination

The responsibility for import controls of goods at our borders, including airports and ports, is primarily the responsibility of the federal police and customs. Specific guidelines for radioactive contamination are fixed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in collaboration with the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). The legal limit is currently 4 Bq/cm².

The control of imports from Japan is made by customs using targeted sampling. According to the BMU, these inspections are carried out purely for precautionary reasons and to protect the population and there is no immediate danger (www.bmu.de/www.zoll.de). The Harmonic Drive AG currently sees no need for further inspections beyond these measures for imports from Japan.