Japan's Looming Economic Turmoil

Japan's massive earthquake has forced automakers, electronics firms and oil factories to shut down, potentially putting the country in danger of an economic crisis. The giant electronics company Sony has temporarily shut down eight factories, including one that was flooded by the tsunami. Nissan also temporarily ceased production at all four of the country's assembly factories and said that they could only reopen when they recover all parts lost during the natural disasters. Infrastructure damage and power rationing after the nuclear plant malfunctions could also prevent the country from sending and receiving shipments, even if factories are up and running. "We are worried about the infrastructure—roads, trains buses, trucks," said Brian Heywood, CEO of Taiyo Pacific Partners, which has $2 billion invested in Japanese shares. Experts have forecasted that shares of major technology and auto exporters will have plummeted when financial markets open on Monday. But they also predict that the economy could bounce back as soon as April when the country begins spending on rebuilding efforts, which will boost construction firms. The government is scrambling to deal with the aftermath of these crises, including getting power back to almost 2 million people and running water to another 1.4 million.