TOKYO, June 28 (Reuters) – Japan was baking in hot temperatures for the fourth day in a row on Tuesday as heat in the capital broke nearly 150-year-old June records and authorities warned that the power supply remained strong enough to raise the specter of layoffs.
The heat comes less than two weeks before the national elections, in which prices, including the price of electricity, are among the key issues chosen by voters in opinion polls showing that the government’s approval rating is declining – as politicians, including the governor of Tokyo, insist on reducing electricity prices.
Temperatures in the capital reached 35.1 C by 13:00 local time on Tuesday (04:00 GMT), after three consecutive days of temperatures above 35 C – the worst series of hot weather in June since recordings began in 1875. And the heat wave not for interruption: The Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts maximum temperatures of 36 C for Tokyo on Thursday and 35 C on Friday.
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With heat stroke reports issued in some parts of the country on Tuesday, hospitalizations rose, with emergency services saying 76 people had been taken to a hospital in Tokyo.
Many in the capital and elsewhere continue to ignore government advice to reduce the risk of heat stroke by not wearing face masks outdoors – a legacy of more than two years of widespread wearing of masks in public during the COVID pandemic. 19.
“We tell people that when they are outside, they can take enough distance and not talk, they have to take off their masks,” Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto told a news conference.
For a second day, authorities asked consumers in the Tokyo area to save electricity to avoid an impending power outage – but in moderation.
“Obviously there are some elderly people who have turned off their air conditioners because we are asking people to save energy, but please – it’s so hot – don’t hesitate to cool off,” Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda told a news conference.
The ratio of reserves for Tokyo in the evening (1630-1700) on Tuesday was expected to fall below 5% by Monday night, close to the minimum of 3%, which guarantees a stable supply, in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures. Reserve capacity below 3% risks power shortages and power outages.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said forecasts had improved slightly, but still urged consumers to be economical with the use of electricity. He warned that supplies would still be limited on Wednesday.
People rest in a cooling mist while the Japanese government warns of a possible power outage due to a heat wave in Tokyo, Japan, June 28, 2022. REUTERS / Issei Kato
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Monday’s warning prompted government agencies, including METI, to turn off some lights in the afternoon and evening, with METI stopping the use of 25 percent of the elevators in its building.
Electronics stores have taken similar steps by turning off TVs and other goods in shopping malls, which are usually lingered to lure shoppers, and some Tokyo residents have said on social media that they exclude all appliances that are not in use.
But politicians have begun calling for further steps.
Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike attended a shareholders’ meeting of Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) (9501.T) on Tuesday, later saying he had called for price cuts, the Fuji News Network reported. TEPCO provides electricity to the larger region of Tokyo.
Although expected to do well in the July 10th elections for the upper house of parliament, Kishida’s ruling party is facing difficulties from rising prices, exacerbated by the depreciation of the yen, making imports more expensive.
Kishida’s cabinet approval reached 50% in a poll conducted by NHK on June 24-26, down 55% last week.
Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of a junior partner in Kishida’s coalition government, warned in a campaign speech Monday that citizens risk heat stroke in an attempt to save energy.
“What I would really like is for the government to tell energy companies to cut costs,” he was quoted as saying by Kyodo.
Economically, the heat could be a double-edged sword, said Yoshiki Shinke, a senior executive economist at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute.
“The scorching heat is said to increase personal consumption in the summer through higher sales of beverages and household appliances … but excessive heat can limit consumption,” he added, noting that people remain indoors and vegetable prices are rising .
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Additional reports by Sakura Murakami, Kantaro Komiya and Yuka Obayashi; Writing by Elaine Lees; Edited by Kenneth Maxwell
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