It may seem relatively unimportant, compared to the devastation caused by the worst earthquake and tsunami in Japan's recent history, but parts originating in Japan's factories are at the heart of many consumer electronics.  Manufacturers will soon face shortages, which will have a serious effect on employment, profit and the global economy. 

According to The Mashable, Toshiba, Sony, Texas Instruments and Hitachi could all soon face parts shortages which will severely limit production of the iPad, Play Stations, DLP,  Plasma  and LCD TVs, camcorders, DVD players, even Blu-ray DVDs.

Approximately 20% of all semiconductors and 40% of all flash memory used in today's must-have consumer electronics are made in Japan.

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