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Gov't lifts restrictions on power use in and around Tokyo

25 Comments

The government on Friday night lifted restrictions on power use in and around Tokyo two weeks earlier than scheduled thanks to an improved supply and demand balance now that the summer heat has eased.

A 15% curb on electricity consumption was imposed on large companies in the Tokyo and Tohoku regions on July 1, after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima nuclear crisis and led to a serious power crunch.

Industry minister Yoshio Hachiro said Friday that the government was able to lift the order two weeks earlier than planned because companies and the public had cooperated to conserve electricity. He added, though, that he hopes that everyone will do their best to save on electricity. Neither the ministry nor Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) has projected power supply and demand for winter yet.

The ministry already lifted a similar restriction in Tohoku Electric’s territory last Friday, one week ahead of schedule.

The early lifting of the order aims in part to alleviate its impact on reconstruction work in disaster-hit areas, the government said.

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25 Comments
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Fantastic. I am turning my particle accelerator back on this weekend.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Basically, we never actually had a power shortage.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Zichi, JR and the Metro do have their own supplies.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

How many companies were fined the 1 million yen for not meeting the 15% is what I want to know. It was all talk and no bark from the government on that.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ramzel, we did. And the fact that you didn't feel it is something that you should be thankful for.

Whom should you thank? The people who work for manufacturing firms, mainly. Weekday work was shifted to graveyard and weekends, robbing their families of normal time together (meaning these people missed out on weekends with friends) in order to spread out power consumption. Their sacrifice meant that you and I didn't suffer. Please realize that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I hope people stick to power saving despite the restrictions being lifted. I'm sure many will. I hope companies do the same. Here's the thing: anything that the companies/people lived without while the shortages were in place are clearly not 'necessary', are they? So, keep it up.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It makes me wonder if there really was a need in the first place. However, otsukadi sama to all of us who have sweltered in offices all summer with the air-conditioning set on 28'.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Of course TEPCO should pay for it's damage, and certain execs imprisioned. The govt should temporally take over until a renewable energy utility can be formed.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We do need the 54 nuclear reactors to generate profit for the electricity industry so we can employ people!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

So - in the last 6 months we didn`t build any new reactors right? So... how come we have enough power now? Yes, AC consumption will be a bit down, but it is still hot today in Kanto...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Ramzel: As other posters have explained to YOU. Households have reduced consumption, offices and companies, from trains to Universities, have all turned off lighting, set the air-con at 28 and gone home early. There has been a great effort by millions of people BUT the main save has been the shift in hours of the factories. Bottom line, most everyone mucked in helped out and got it done. You might not like it or 'get it' or care but WE do. Well done Japan.

@J4: Nice sarcasm. But Japan really can NOT afford to lose anymore land to radiation.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hope this helps Japan recover, especially Tokyo. Hundreds of service businesses -- restaurants, clubs, etc. -- have suffered greatly due to the shortages of customers caused by the shortages of electricity.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@zichi. London Underground has not generated it's own electricity since 2002.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichi, we need more then 54 nuclear reactors. this country shouldn't be importing a single drop, mote, spec of oil/gas/coal for the purposes of electricity generation. its just not sound for our country's security in the near future.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How many more years do you have to do this? sigh...........

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I wish every Prefecture Official would visit Osaka's Beautiful Waste Power Plant and get the idea to add WTE (waste to energy ) Plants in all Prefectures just by converting their incinerators.

Excerpt: The incinerator heat is used to create enough electricity to run the entire plant's operation, with the leftover sold back to the city (32,000kw).

http://www.newcolonist.com/osaka_waste.html

0 ( +0 / -0 )

28 degrees in offices and schools was too hot to work comfortably so I think performance declined. However, the more sane workwear policy should be kept. Darker streets and less lighting in general should be kept. Was and is very nice.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I agree with Ranger; it's hard to measure the productivity decline of having to work in 28º+ temperatures. More mistakes on the job; more lethargy; your brain moves a lot slower.

Where I disagree -- and I admit to probably being in the minority -- is that I'm not a big fan of the super-casual business wear that companies started promoting so that they could keep ambient temperatures higher. I prefer the degree of formality that has long been a hallmark of Japanese service. I like wearing a tie to work and looking professional, and I like seeing professional-looking people around me. This summer it was men in T-shirts and women in tank tops and flip-flops; I felt like I was back in the US!

Keep the temperature at 19-21º so that people can be productive and quick-thinking. There are many ways to save energy without -- work in smaller spaces; work shorter hours and send people home on time; don't use excess PCs that generate heat; insulate the walls; let people open windows and get a breeze blowing in; etc., etc.

And at the very least, conserve power in the winter also so that it's not stifling hot all year round. My company kept things at 25-26º in the winter!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Ramzel is correct. There was no terrible shortage of electricity. It was all a lie concocted by TEPCO to make people believe nuclear power is necessary.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

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