Key elements of Japanese manufacturing and transport infrastructure have been temporarily halted as the nation tackles widespread devastation and tries to avert a potential nuclear disaster at one of its reactor facilities.

The damage to the country’s infrastructure has also threatened to disrupt manufacturing production in the country, with companies including print kit manufacturers hit by the events.

Tim Webb, executive director of manufacturers and importers trade body Picon, said: "Concern for Japanese colleagues goes without saying.

"Following on from that, the issue now is whether there will be further power cuts across the country, and how that will affect factories and supply chains across Japan. The question now is how fast they can get back to normal," Webb added.

UK representatives of Japanese print companies are establishing whether they have the necessary supplies, with most companies in Japan able to operate, albeit with some limitations.

Neil Sutton, managing director at Komori UK, said: "Thankfully no employees or their families have been affected.

"Komori has two factories in Japan, and they have suffered minor damage, but this is nothing serious considering the magnitude of what we are seeing being reported. Normal operations are intended to start again next week."

He added that raised radiation levels were "an ever moving target," but said it was difficult to comment further at this time.

"Radiation levels are above normal all over Japan at the moment, and it is an issue that we're monitoring."

Canon said that several of its sites in northern Honshu, the area hardest hit by the earthquake, were affected with 15 staff injured and production suspended at its Utsunomiya, Toride and Ami Plants.

Chas Moloney, marketing director at Ricoh UK, said that he understood that none of the company's staff were among the missing.

"There has been some damage to one of our factories in Japan but it shouldn’t have an effect on the UK market in the short term," he added.

Neil Handforth, sales and marketing director at Ryobi UK agent Apex, said: "First and foremost, our staff and their families are safe.

"Ryobi has two facilities in Japan, and the factory near Hiroshima wasn’t affected."

Tim Taylor, marketing manager at Screen Europe, said all employees and relatives in its Kanto East facility were safe: "All production procurement is under control and there is no impact on future shipments."

A spokesman for Epson said no employee casualties had been reported, but he added that the company had been affected.

He said: "At present, it is unclear as to the exact effect that these events will have on Epson's operations, but every effort is being made to ensure that it is minimised."

Nippon Paper Group said in a statement its Ishinomaki mill operation had stopped, along with its Iwanuma mill, its Akita mill and its Nakoso mill. A few machines were also stopped at its Fuji mill.