According to the BBC, Panasonic has suspended operations at its factory in Qingdao until 18 September, while Canon stopped production at three of its factories, in the wake of anti-Japan protests across several Chinese cities, which turned violent at the weekend.

"The attacks are a part of wider protests that have spread across China and hurt other firms, including car manufacturer Toyota," the BBC reports. "They started after Japan said it had agreed a deal to buy a chain of disputed islands in the East China Sea from their private Japanese owner. China has maintained its sovereignty over the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan."

The news comes as both firm have announced new camera products at the Photokina trade show in Cologne, Germany.

For more details about the production issues, read the BBC's full report.