The Japanese government urged residents of Tokyo and its surrounding areas to use less electricity on Monday, warning that supplies will be strained due to a heatwave sweeping the country.
This afternoon, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry anticipates “severe” electricity demand.
It was recommended that people turn off unnecessary lights but continue to use air conditioning to prevent heatstroke.
As temperatures rise, officials have warned for weeks of an impending power shortage.
Over the weekend, the temperature in central Tokyo surpassed 35 degrees Celsius, while the city of Isesaki, located northwest of the capital, reached a record 40.2 degrees Celsius. This was the warmest June temperature ever recorded in Japan.
June marks the beginning of summer in Japan, with average temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius.
In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry stated that excess electricity generation capacity was expected to drop to 3.7% in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures on Monday afternoon. It considers a 3 percent buffer necessary for a stable power supply.
The government requested that people turn off unnecessary lights for three hours beginning at 15:00 Tokyo time (07:00 BST) while “using air conditioning and staying hydrated during hot hours.”
Despite efforts by electricity providers to increase supply, the ministry stated that the situation is “unpredictable” as temperatures continue to rise.
“Should there be an increase in demand and sudden supply difficulties, the reserve margin will fall below the minimum of 3 percent,” it stated.
Since a March earthquake in the country’s northeastern region caused several nuclear power plants to cease operations, Japan’s power supply has been limited.
To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, officials have also closed several aging fossil fuel plants.
These issues, coupled with an increase in electricity demand, have resulted in a power shortage.
The Japanese government urged households and businesses earlier this month to conserve as much electricity as possible during the summer.
As of Sunday afternoon, the Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that 46 people in Tokyo had been hospitalized for suspected heatstroke.
It was also reported that a 94-year-old man from the nearby city of Kawagoe was believed to have died from the condition.
Officials in the Australian state of New South Wales, which includes the nation’s largest city, Sydney, urged residents to turn off their lights in news of an energy crisis. Late last week, restrictions on the Australian wholesale energy market were lifted.
