In an announcement made March 14, 2011, Honda Motor Company has made a significant contribution to the earthquake relief effort in Japan, and more specific to North America, American Honda Motor Company has also announced that it is participating in a matching program for associate donations through the Red Cross Relief Effort. The company is encouraging others to participate directly through the Red Cross at http://american.redcross.org.Thus far Honda has contributed 300 million yen (approximately $3.7 million) toward the relief and recovery effort, as well as 1,000 generators and 5,000 gas canisters. Honda is also dispatching its staff to explain the use of this equipment.
Damage was widespread in a number of areas where Honda plants are located, and production in those cities affected have been temporarily suspended.
In the Tochigi area, where Honda has a number of operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has confirmed the fatality of a Honda R&D associate at the Tochigi R&D Center, when a wall collapsed in a cafeteria. In addition, 17 Honda associates were injured there from collapsing ceilings and other damage during the earthquake.
Honda Aircraft Company is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, where the company is manufacturing the new HondaJet (http://hondajet.honda.com).