Sega Sammy Releases Disaster Impact Statement

East Japan Amusement Centers Closed; Company Investigating “Possible Human Casualties” Internally

From a business standpoint, the days after the Japan Disaster have been tough.  While the Nikkei Stock Market itself has tanked some twenty percent the past two days, Sega Sammy in Japan has taken an even bigger beating, falling 27 percent so far this week.

The company released a statement on Tuesday proclaiming their intent to assess the situation as it pertains to the company.  In many ways, the remarks read much like an announcement of an announcement, deliberately withholding some key information.  The statement does proclaim all of the company’s owned amusement centers in East Japan have suspended operation until further notice, and other centers will have modified hours to accommodate rolling blackouts underway in Japan.

The more unsettling remarks came when discussing the human impact on the company, as they indicated Sega Sammy did suffer human casualties within the employee ranks.

“We are currently collecting information and investigating the conditions of possible human casualties,” the statement read.

On the business side, Sega Sammy assured investors it will disclose any impact on the company related to the disaster as soon as more is known.

“The Company is currently investigating the impact caused by this earthquake and will promptly disclose any information in the event any matters of significant impact are confirmed,” the statement read.

Domestically, Sega Sammy stock closed down almost 10 percent on the pink sheets today, to $4.15 a share.  Three months of growth buoyed by a strong Holiday season have now been erased.