TOKYO (AP) -- Sharp Corp. has suspended domestic production of large-sized LCD panels because of a shortfall of industrial gas after a massive earthquake and tsunami.
The Osaka-based company is one of the world's largest makers of LCD TVs and panels.
Spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama says the company has decided to focus on making smaller panels -- under 10 inches (25 centimeters) -- because it has a stockpile of larger ones.
Nakayama said Saturday that production had already halted at the two factories in Japan where the bigger panels are made. She would not specify when it stopped but said it was expected to resume in early May.
The March 11 earthquake and tsunami have forced several Japanese companies to suspend production in a scramble for parts.
The Osaka-based company is one of the world's largest makers of LCD TVs and panels.
Spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama says the company has decided to focus on making smaller panels -- under 10 inches (25 centimeters) -- because it has a stockpile of larger ones.
Nakayama said Saturday that production had already halted at the two factories in Japan where the bigger panels are made. She would not specify when it stopped but said it was expected to resume in early May.
The March 11 earthquake and tsunami have forced several Japanese companies to suspend production in a scramble for parts.
