The engineers were recalled because of concerns about the leakage of radioactive materials from a damaged nuclear power plant in Japan, the state-owned Chinese automaker said in a statement.

The center, which was established in Yokohama in 2008, designs vehicle interiors and exteriors.

It employs 31 engineers, most of whom are Japanese nationals. Its Japanese engineers also have returned home to assist with local relief work, according to Changan.

Yokohama is located more than 200 km south of the Fukushima Daiichi Power Station, which was severely damaged during a powerful earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11.

No engineers at the center were injured, according to Changan. The company did not indicate when the Yokohama design center will resume operation.

Changan also has a design center in Turin, Italy, and a technical center in the United Kingdom that develops powertrains. In January, the company opened a technical center in suburban Detroit to conduct chassis R&D for its own brands in China.