Nikon was forced to delay several pieces of gear in 2020. These included two Z-mount lenses, the 120-300mm F-mount lens, and the Nikon D6 DSLR. Since the coronavirus situation in Japan is getting worse, we can expect delays from Nikon in 2021, too.
The company has issued a statement regarding the situation. It reads that 30% or fewer employees will continue to work, and the company will eliminate the maximum number of days for working from home. Here’s the full statement, it’s Google-translated but you will get the gist:
We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who died of the new coronavirus infection and their bereaved families. We also pray for those who are affected and those in difficult situations to recover as soon as possible.
In response to the announcement of the state of emergency, the Nikon Group will continue manufacturing until February 7 in order to strengthen measures while adhering to the policy of “continuing business activities while preventing the spread of infection”. We will implement measures such as reducing the number of employees to 30% or less and eliminating the maximum number of days for working from home, excluding workplaces that require employees to come to work.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers and business partners, and thank you for your understanding and understanding.
In the future, we will continue to give top priority to ensuring the safety of employees and their families, customers, business partners, and people in the vicinity of business establishments and preventing the spread of infection, in accordance with the guidance and requests of the government and local governments. We will continue to.
Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture saw 906 new coronavirus cases yesterday, which is its second-highest daily count. What’s more, the new strain of the virus was identified. So last week, the government issued a COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, Japan Times reports.
In addition to delaying gear production and shipment because of the pandemic, Nikon had some “restructuring” within the company last year. In May 2020, the company laid off 700 workers in Thailand and Laos. Then in November, it announced a massive job cut and moving camera production to Thailand. So, my guess is that the latest coronavirus emergency in Japan just a drop in the ocean of problems the company has already been through for the past year. All in all, it looks like delays will be the trademark of 2021, too.
[via Nikon Rumors]
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