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Japan to ask for electricity saving from Dec 1 to end of March to avoid power crunch

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It’s going to be freezing this winter. Especially with the windows and doors open for ventilation.

9 ( +21 / -12 )

Japan to ask for electricity saving from Dec 1 to end of March to avoid power crunch

It's asking people to hold freezing during winter, deprecated yen make energy look expensive isn't it. That's new capitalism.

-4 ( +13 / -17 )

Stop running the heat in every damn place when its only 18 degrees out. Department stores are like saunas.

32 ( +46 / -14 )

I wonder if this will extend so far as urging the arafos to kindly entertain the notion that an office is not always cho samui should the temperature drop below 28⁰C?

Or if JR might consider the option of having Hephaestus' furnace blasting up from under the seats, when the passengers crammed into the train are already dressed for winter, so will be sheened in perspiration by the time they reach their destination and step out into the freezing streets?

Nah. Shoganai. Samui desu ne?

3 ( +29 / -26 )

the giant screens at Shibuya Scramble (et al) will be dark then will they? how come the J-Gov doesn't simply ask companies to "please co-operate"? then 'the people' can stay warm.

11 ( +26 / -15 )

it isn't that there isn't enough power, just that countries have got into the habit of being prodigiously profligate with it....

11 ( +21 / -10 )

So the govt subsidizes our heating bills and then tells us to conserve our consumption. Bad policy, to say the least.

-3 ( +16 / -19 )

3rd largest economy in the world and they are asking, urging people to cut electricity! I've lived in Japan a long time and more and more I feel this country has reached a point of no return. Nothing gets done, except for wasteful projects like the Olympics or useless pet projects. All the while the debt just keeps rising, living standards drop, and now we are being asked to wear more clothes and conserve electricity, not because of some natural disaster or war, but because the government cannot do the job they are suppossed to do, provide for its citizens!

-1 ( +22 / -23 )

Always waiting for the days when the government will ask the population to stop idling, and put fines. It would be a huge energy saving and friendly for the planet

7 ( +17 / -10 )

quote: 3rd largest economy in the world and they are asking, urging people to cut electricity!

It's to reduce emissions directly and by suppressing the consumer economy, deflecting blame to Russia/Ukraine. G7 countries tend to use more energy, although they use a lot less coal and wood than the third world. Unfortunately, the hit to the economy will mean that any transition to green power or distributed energy production will no longer be affordable, and the knock on effects will destabilise the global economy and regimes in both the developed world, and the developing world (which was subsidised, protected and stabilised by first world growth). They didn't think it through.

quote: The government plans to award points to households that cut monthly electricity consumption by 3 percent or more compared with the previous year.

The UK have a similar scheme. It rewards those who wasted energy and now behave a bit more responsibly, but offers nothing to those who have always behaved responsibly.

quote: Especially with the windows and doors open for ventilation.

There is no reason to open your windows and doors for ventilation in winter. Covid is endemic. You can't dodge it. You might as well accept that. Vaccination will reduce your symptoms, so get jabbed, shut your doors and windows and at least keep warm.

One benefit may be a reduction in the sauna-like temperatures of Japanese trains and hotels. I guess that is why they say 'wear layers' - so you can rapidly strip down to the minimum and avoid being cooked when you get on a train or walk into a hotel.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

also tell the office ladies to bring extra jackets and sweaters………it definitely is not Siberia at the moment. If you can’t even handle 18-15 degree weather, how do you expect to survive Jan and Feb?

as for the “men” who claim the office is cold, pffft……do a push up or something.

In Addition, here’s the deal, stop blasting the heaters in every single room in every single town in the country, in October-November, and maybe you’ll save a yen or two.

also stop financing ¥1.8 billion funerals and hiring incompetent sons, while we’re at it.

then we’ll see how much money can be “saved.”

-3 ( +21 / -24 )

They could save so much on heating in the winter AND air conditioning if the summer if the buildings here were properly insulated. Warm air stays in during the winter, cool air stays in during the summer, instead of leaking out through the roof and walls. It’s not rocket science.

Worst insulated buildings in the world. There need to be minimum building standards around insulation.

23 ( +30 / -7 )

This could be easily achieved if businesses didnt blast their heaters as soon as it hits November regardless of the actual temperature

16 ( +23 / -7 )

agree with many here. There's ALOT of overkill when it comes to heating in the winter here. I never wear a jacket at work and on my days off if I'm going anywhere I always wear a jacket with a T shirt underneath because of the insane heating. Don't need to overheat the country.

-4 ( +17 / -21 )

Might be a good idea just to also have daylight saving time as well. Even if its just for the year.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

also tell the office ladies to bring extra jackets and sweaters………it definitely is not Siberia at the moment. If you can’t even handle 18-15 degree weather, how do you expect to survive Jan and Feb?

as for the “men” who claim the office is cold, pffft……do a push up or something.

can you please come to my office and say that to some of my coworkers??

-4 ( +16 / -20 )

Why? Russia has lots of cheap oil and gas. In some points it is only a short boat drive away.

Feet are for shooting.

-1 ( +12 / -13 )

No. I will use as much as I like.

The Japanese Government should have come up with a plan years ago for this situation.

Don't put everything on the citizens when there is trouble.

The job of the Japanese Government is to come up with a plan and implement it without causing discomfort to the elderly and children.

-8 ( +15 / -23 )

So glad I bought a wood stove and use that to heat my house. No more smelly kerosene or expensive air conditioners.

-1 ( +17 / -18 )

People, we have to act like adults and collaborate..

It's asking people to hold freezing during winter, deprecated yen make energy look expensive isn't it. That's new capitalism.

Nothing new, capitalism has always been like this...

No. I will use as much as I like.

Seriously Bruce??, why do you react like a kid??..

Why? Russia has lots of cheap oil and gas. In some points it is only a short boat drive away.

It will always be better to have Russia as a friend..

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

Luckily our log stove burns 24 hours day up here, no need to set any thermostat…..just open the windows when it get to hot.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

I really doubt that people will do it without penalties & incentives such as higher and lower rates depending on usage, I know there are some now but increasing them will help for sure.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Almost all new buildings these days rely on Electricity for every thing 110% electrical, it is clean energy and good for mother earth, BUT when electricity becomes scarce then you get into a situation where all things could come to a screeching halt and the society becomes paralyzed.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

The Japanese Government should have come up with a plan years ago for this situation.

Really? Did any government foresee the invasion of Ukraine? BTW, how is Europe doing?

-15 ( +1 / -16 )

 Don't need to overheat the country.

Yeah right, go live in Hokkaido and say the same thing.

-14 ( +2 / -16 )

Why are they asking citizens? Department stores, offices use majority of the energy.

Why goverment does dogs*** to intervene Yen depreciation to protect people's assets, yet asks people again to cooperate with their stupid schemes?

I'm all for environmentalism and energy saving but I aint doing nothing this 70 year old cuccoos ask.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

as long as you will keep normal relationship with Russia/but wont/we will have no these problems here.

i will not wear double sweaters inside of house like somewhere in DPRK and will use electricity as always as me as client I have not caused this but jpn gov have caused thanks to its proUS interest poodle stances.

i will boycott your "recommendations" as dont want catch cold in winter thanks to your stupidity.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Japan Today specialists are kicking in with great ideas. If they insulate the house the hot air will stay longer during the winter but then during the summer it is going to be like sauna. There is a reason why for so many generations they did build the houses in the certain way.

That isn't how insulation works. Proper insulation will reduce temperatures inside and reduce moisture. Many generations have built houses the same way because it is cheap, and temperatures have never been as extreme as they are nowadays.

11 ( +11 / -0 )

Japan to ask for electricity saving from Dec 1 to end of March to avoid power crunch

The LDP always looking out for the power corporations and Japan Inc.

The trillion yen stimulus package just passed, largely going to direct subsidies to utility companies and at their discretion how much savings they will pass on to customers.

So the LDP is urging the public to please let the power companies keep as much of this largess from the public treasury as possible so they can pass it on to executive bonuses and shareholder dividends?

Typical.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

Stop running the heat in every damn place when its only 18 degrees out. Department stores are like saunas.

Or even trains for that matter.

11 ( +15 / -4 )

Japan to ask for electricity saving from Dec 1 to end of March to avoid power crunch

Tell everyone to leave the office before 8 pm then. We don't need all the office lights and heaters running for the few people who love being at work.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

If there is one thing I hate, it's when an incompetent government requests help.

You have to be kidding me. Lower electricity usage when it matters most? I'll be sure to blow my breakers as many times as I can. Set up all my old computers, have the GPUs blasting overclocked 24 hours a day. Vacuum as frequently as possible, and set my freezer to whatever maximum cold it can do.

Fix your shtuff, Japan. If I pay, I'm gonna use it.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Just glad they didn't ask me to not charge my tesla.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

They could save so much on heating in the winter AND air conditioning if the summer if the buildings here were properly insulated. Warm air stays in during the winter, cool air stays in during the summer, instead of leaking out through the roof and walls. It’s not rocket science.

I wish the Japanese built homes like the old days with craftsmanship and design. These houses were build to last and had better aesthetic appeal. Add modern technology like solar roofing, fiber glass insulation, double or triple pane glass and I would buy it in a heartbeat. Instead we get a decorated shed for a home...

10 ( +11 / -1 )

GBR48 mostly gets it. This is the UN's Agenda 30 in action, but dressed up to look like an energy shortage. Same in other countries around the world, yet the energy companies - both fossil/nuke and "renewable" are making a killing out of it as prices skyrocket. And who's left holding the baby to pay for it?

It's a racket, and as soon as more people figure out this is a massive wealth and power redistribution scam at our expense, the sooner we can vote out the corrupt crooks who pass/ignore laws that allow it to happen, and vote in people who actually look after OUR interests. If the current crop try to resist to cement their power (as they're now doing through censorship, etc.), then all bets are off as to how they're removed. I'm not advocating violence, but non-violent non-compliance with bad rules and urges.

That's not to say Japan isn't terribly wasteful when it comes to energy as so many others have said, but that's a somewhat separate problem to the deliberate manipulation of energy supplies that's happening right now through an aggravated war and a global financial system in dire straits.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Many European countries are also struggling with gas and power supplies.

The installed capacity was 357.8 GW in the year 2021.

Consumption 943.70 bn kWh (billion-kilowatt hours).

Generated 989.30 bn kWh.

The consumption per capita is 7,508.66 kWh. That is all electricity used. 625kWh. Our use is never higher than 300 kWh.

The country needs to increase production or cut consumption.

The installed capacity of wind power generation at the end of 2021: 4,581 MW,143 MW/year annually

The country needs more wind turbines, especially off-shore.

https://jwpa.jp/en/information/6227/

2021 Share of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources in Japan (Preliminary)

In 2021, renewables are estimated to account for 22.4% of all electricity generated.

https://www.isep.or.jp/en/1243/

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Increasing insulation in homes will not resolve the problem the country is facing this winter.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

It never ceases to amaze me how people here insist on pretending that it is cold when it's a perfectly pleasant, warm autumn day.

Stop heating every office and train to 28⁰ and you might begin to acclimatise to real temperature.

Damn, you might even appreciate your unique four seasons more.

I'm all for reducing power consumption. The waste of energy in this country is grotesque.

-1 ( +11 / -12 )

Japanese power consumption is less than half that of Americans.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Well this is an asinine and futile attempt to avoid a power crunch. Buildings, houses, and apartments in Japan are so poorly insulated it's a joke. It's absolutely freezing inside during winter due to the lack of insulation and using those A/C heaters that only heat up the one room is another useless thing. Seriously, what's wrong with installing radiators in houses and buildings?

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

wallaceToday  10:57 am JST

Japanese power consumption is less than half that of Americans.

Japan is extremely inefficient in its use of energy compared to the US.

Homes are ineffectively heated. And how many Japanese households have more than 1 automotive vehicle?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Industry accounts for 36% of electricity consumption, followed by services (33%) and households (27%).

Power consumption in Japan has decreased from 960,000 GWh in 2017 to 886,000 GWh in 2020. A fall of 74,000 GWh.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Yeah right, go live in Hokkaido and say the same thing.

I've lived in Nothern Canada which is even colder. Plus my father in law was from Niigata. He always said that Japan used too much energy. Said they didn't use that much growing up.

I'll repeat it- No need to overheat the country.

0 ( +13 / -13 )

SDCAToday  10:04 am JST

They could save so much on heating in the winter AND air conditioning if the summer if the buildings here were properly insulated. Warm air stays in during the winter, cool air stays in during the summer, instead of leaking out through the roof and walls. It’s not rocket science.

I wish the Japanese built homes like the old days with craftsmanship and design. These houses were build to last and had better aesthetic appeal. Add modern technology like solar roofing, fiber glass insulation, double or triple pane glass and I would buy it in a heartbeat. Instead we get a decorated shed for a home...

The Japan bashers never give up. Most modern Japanese homes are insulated whilst older ones certainly are not. Making sweeping generalisations with no actual facts or knowledge is rather ridiculous.

Most homes built in the "old days with craftsmanship and design" in Japan are badly insulated.

I bought a new house here in west Japan 7 years ago; it's properly insulated and double glazed and certainly not your decorated shed. Have a look at the specs of the homes being built by major house builders.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

painkiller

wallace

   Japanese power consumption is less than half that of Americans.

> Japan is extremely inefficient in its use of energy compared to the US.

The article is about electricity. But gas could also be a problem this winter. What proof can you post showing the US is more efficient with electricity or energy in general?

American consumes more electricity because many have larger homes. Run central heating. Have more and larger appliances.

The US produces more CO2 per capita than Japan. Third largest producer after China and India.

Homes are ineffectively heated. And how many Japanese households have more than 1 automotive vehicle?

Japanese people use local heating and in many cases, they are not using electricity.

Not sure of your logic connecting the ownership of cars with the amount of electricity consumed.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Over 10 years after Fukushima nuclear disaster, LDP government of Japan had enough time to expand other power supply such as renewable energy. but they had neglected it, caused "power crunch" situation, government could fabricate pretext to cling to nuclear power.

On the other hand, power demand in Japan has decreased year by year, "power crunch" that major power corporations who have and want to continue nuclear plants only insist so has no objectivity from at first, this announcement itself is suspicious.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

So glad I bought a wood stove

Been searching for months for a cheap one I can restore. Unfortunately, they're not abundant, so most are asking more than half price for a rusty used one.

As far as the government/corporation request, we will always be slipping closer and closer to poverty class as long as the we(NATO)st can't get along.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

No thanks. It my money. I’ll spend it on as much heating as I want. The government is full of ****. They have more than enough energy supplies since they never decommissioned all the coal power plants and never saw the good in investing in alternative energy energy sources

1 ( +9 / -8 )

The power companies still have about ¥15 trillion of profits tied up in nuclear plants which are not operating.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

August 2022.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged that up to nine nuclear reactors will be in operation amid power shortage concerns.

Question: There are many more nuclear reactors in Japan. Why nine?

Answer: After the meltdowns at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Holdings Inc.'s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Japan's nuclear power plants are not allowed to operate unless they meet the government's earthquake, tsunami, and anti-terrorism safety standards. There are 57 total reactors in the country, but only a handful meet these standards. Subtracting 24 reactors set to be decommissioned and those with incomplete safety updates leaves just nine available to run over the winter.

Kishida mentioned that these nine reactors will be put into operation, and all of them have been in operation at least once since the new standards were put in place after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster. In other words, none are new reactors.

Q: Which are those nine reactors?

A: They are the No. 3 and 4 units at the Oi nuclear power station, the No. 3 and 4 units at the Takahama nuclear plant, and the No. 3 reactor at the Mihama nuclear plant, all run by Kansai Electric Power Co. in Fukui Prefecture; the Sendai nuclear station's units 1 and 2 in Kagoshima Prefecture, and the Genkai power station's No. 3 reactor in Saga Prefecture; and the No. 3 unit at Shikoku Electric Power Co.'s Ikata power plant in Ehime Prefecture.

In addition, anti-terrorism facilities at the Genkai plant's No. 4 reactor are scheduled for completion in mid-February 2023, after which it will be ready for operation. However, all these reactors are in west Japan, and there are limits to how much they can supplement eastern Japan's electricity supply.

Q: What about the situation at other reactors?

A: Other than those mentioned above, seven reactors have passed the safety review. However, in addition to safety measure work, a review of the construction plan and the consent of the local government where the plant is located are also required before it can restart.

Q: We need a lot of electricity in the summer as well. Could any of these seven units be up and running next summer?

A: There are three reactors that have a projected restart date, but only the No. 1 and 2 units at Kansai Electric's Takahama plant will be ready by next summer. Those two will be operational in June and July 2023, respectively, after the completion of anti-terrorism facilities.

The No. 2 reactor at Chugoku Electric Power Co.'s Shimane nuclear station in Shimane Prefecture has not posted a restart date, but it plans to finish safety measure work this fiscal year, so it may be able to go online next summer.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

All of the nine reactors which have been operating are located in Western Japan. Five are owned by KEPCO. The problem of a two-grid system.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Harry_GattoToday  11:14 am JST

SDCAToday  10:04 am JST

They could save so much on heating in the winter AND air conditioning if the summer if the buildings here were properly insulated. Warm air stays in during the winter, cool air stays in during the summer, instead of leaking out through the roof and walls. It’s not rocket science.

*I wish the Japanese built homes like the old days with craftsmanship and design. These houses were build to last and had better aesthetic appeal. Add modern technology like solar roofing, fiber glass insulation, double or triple pane glass and I would buy it in a heartbeat. Instead we get a decorated shed for a home...*

The Japan bashers never give up. Most modern Japanese homes are insulated whilst older ones certainly are not. Making sweeping generalisations with no actual facts or knowledge is rather ridiculous.

Most homes built in the "old days with craftsmanship and design" in Japan are badly insulated.

I bought a new house here in west Japan 7 years ago; it's properly insulated and double glazed and certainly not your decorated shed. Have a look at the specs of the homes being built by major house builders.

I said I wish they built houses to last and have aesthetic appeal like in the older days with modern technology to cope with the lack of insulation. Not bashing Japan at all, just the newly built house that I currently live in which is essentially a decorated shed. And yes I was briefed on the insulation and double glazed windows when purchasing the house from one of the largest building companies in Japan, but the house can never maintain any warmth. Nice to hear you were able to find one of the better built houses, if I feel the need to move again, I would like to have the name of the builder who built your house.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

For 25 years we lived in 2 traditionally built houses. They are built for dealing with the heat of the summer, not the cold of the winter. The first one we owned, was bout 60 years old and the second one we rented was 100 years old. It withstood the powerful Kobe earthquake.

They are great to live in but are high maintenance. We now live in a modern western-style house insulated enough but still with Roka's that catch the warmth of the sun. It is not a decorated shed.

The summer and winter electricity is twice that of the spring and autumn.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

wallaceToday  12:20 pm JST

For 25 years we lived in 2 traditionally built houses. They are built for dealing with the heat of the summer, not the cold of the winter. The first one we owned, was bout 60 years old and the second one we rented was 100 years old. It withstood the powerful Kobe earthquake.

They are great to live in but are high maintenance. We now live in a modern western-style house insulated enough but still with Roka's that catch the warmth of the sun. It is not a decorated shed.

The summer and winter electricity is twice that of the spring and autumn.

Exactly.

The Japanese live in inefficient-use of energy houses, and must pay exorbitant high costs for the energy.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

 which is essentially a decorated shed

That was funny.

I imported 13R and 19R pink insulation from the US. I don't understand the government/corporate Brown bag policies here on home construction. It's like they want things to fail to keep a work force, which is not a bad idea in the long run, but sure gives us western folks a lot to complain about.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

That’s by far not a new discussion and therefore many companies, institutions and households have already been saving more and more energy over quite some years. There’s just no such big potential left for even more savings, I guess. Probably the next energy saving attempts are really starting to severely hit essential needs, like elevators, lighting on roads , energy supply in public buildings, leading to a general reduction of life comfort, safety, services for impaired and older people etc.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Exactly.

The Japanese live in inefficient-use of energy houses, and must pay exorbitant high costs for the energy.

You were unable to answer any of the questions I asked of you.

The kWh charge in America is $0.167, which works to be the same as in Japan.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

The worst is when they put the heated seats on on the train so your arse/ass is sweating buckets. Especially at this time of year when it’s like 20C out.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

Just turn off the downtown illuminations (Xmas is around the corner...) and this alone should save a bunch of electricity!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Many questions about what will happen.

But let clarify this

power plants remains uncertain due to market disruptions stemming from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

there is no shortage of gas it they start buying from Russia.

Qatar just told the EU that it will not increase shipments will not divert shipments from Asia to Europe and will cut them off if they impose price caps.

The USA has less than 22 days of Deisel fuel reserves are the lowest since 1951 ( population 150 million now more than twice that).

Will Japan be seeing the same shortages, as the USA and Europe ( also seeing fuel shortages (gas, Deisel, etc..)

17% inflation in Czech Republic massive demonstrations over fuel and food prices/shortages.

How will the Japanese people react when the also get like that and realize there are solutions but politics are blocking them?!

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

there is no shortage of gas it they start buying from Russia.

Oh, great, all we have to do to solve the problem of having to set our air cons a couple of degrees cooler is to send money to a fascist war machine so it can buy more weapons to support its war of conquest against its neighbors?

How silly of the government to have overlooked that.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

send money to a fascist war machine so it can buy more weapons to support its war of conquest against its neighbors?

Which one, the USA or Russia?

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Which one, the USA or Russia?

(Checks which one is a fascist war machine engaged in a war of conquest against its nieghbors)

Russia.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I actually think that Japanese housing is fairly good considering the traditional mild temperatures. The UK and much of the US has a lot worse housing stock in comparison and urban housing can be very poorly insulated in more southern regions of the UK and Europe. A house that is built to last a long time is useless if its aged and going to be demolished in a few years anyway.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

wallaceToday  01:00 pm JST

You were unable to answer any of the questions I asked of you.

The kWh charge in America is $0.167, which works to be the same as in Japan.

Japan has to use more energy though because of inefficient insulation and so forth.

US have much bigger houses compared to Japan. People can afford 2 cars. Multiple electronics and appliances. The costs for Americans is less than Japan overall, because of efficiency.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

rainyday

Today 01:48 pm JST

Which one, the USA or Russia?

> (Checks which one is a fascist war machine engaged in a war of conquest against its nieghbors)

> Russia.

> 3( +3

I did, I checked which one has attacked and invaded more countries and surprisingly it was the USA.

So I ask again, which one?

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

painkiller

wallace

US have much bigger houses compared to Japan. People can afford 2 cars. Multiple electronics and appliances. The costs for Americans is less than Japan overall, because of efficiency

The size of our current house is equal in size to the average home size in America and bigger than many found in American cities. Still not sure of the connection with cars. People in our location have 2-6 cars per house.

Apartments in cities like NY and SF are small and very expensive. Two-bed apartment in NY costs $4,000 per month.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I have lived in colder houses in the UK and Europe.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Japan is asking for electricity savings? So start closing all Pachinko parlors in Japan and you will see how much electricity can be saved!

7 ( +9 / -2 )

People talk a lot about insulation being a problem, but I'm wondering, how much of a factor is earthquake safety? You can't have the same expectations (or "standards") in a country with this many earthquakes. I know there are other countries with similar problems, but insulation doesn't seem to be much of an issue, say, in Indonesia and quakes of the strength that occur in Japan once every few years are much more destructive in other parts of the world. I suspect it does have something to do with how buildings are constructed.

Anyway, the energy crisis is just another way of the ones at the top to burden of a worsening economy to those who never profit off it when it's going well anyway. No amount of "cooperation" is going to fix a profit-driven market of basic necessities.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I did, I checked which one has attacked and invaded more countries and surprisingly it was the USA.

So I ask again, which one?

(Checks again).

No, sorry, still Russia.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

painkiller

you discovered more reasons to leave your country and live in Japan,

Eventually, you will stop making the comparisons.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Everything is being driven by Big Oil and Big Energy which are making massive profits.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I thought Kishida reopened nuclear plant

0 ( +1 / -1 )

As a challenge, I tried without heating last winter, relying just on clothes and blankets. I managed but I really didn't want to do it again. The cold really lowers my work efficiency.

Rodney:

Why? Russia has lots of cheap oil and gas. In some points it is only a short boat drive away.

Feet are for shooting.

And heavy rocks are for dropping.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

BungleToday  03:37 pm JST

Nope. It’s because the US can scale everything up in size. If you are in a business manufacturing pins, the unit cost of the first hundred is gonna be much more than for the following ten million.

US energy costs are less than Japan's because the US scales everything up in size????

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

They should turn the Tokyo Tower lights off to save Energy.... but will that happen ?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Their request will be duly ignored, as long as I pay my bill I will do what I want at home. It's going to be a toasty winter with heaps of xmas lights for me.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@El RATA

Amen, same at my house. The kids love helping dad decorate. They also love being warm at home. If Kishida wants to dictate my electric use he can pay my bills.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

From January, the government will pay 20% of electric and gas charges until September 2023.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Actually so glad this is coming in. As somebody above mentioned, it is criminal how stores etc run heating when 18oC-20oC outside. Like walking into a sauna.

And for those of us at home, these heat pumps are so expensive to run and maintain, so save some money this winter and put on a jersey and a hat. Harden up a bit.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Question? Will the Japanese government become the Grinch that stole the electrical power for illuminating Christmas tree lighting this holiday? I wonder if we will see all of the decorations?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

wallaceToday  02:44 pm JST

painkiller 

you discovered more reasons to leave your country and live in Japan,

Eventually, you will stop making the comparisons.

Reasons like living in smaller, less insulated houses with higher electricity costs?

You must have a sales background.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

"The ministry has also said it intends to speed up efforts to restart nuclear reactors that meet stringent safety standards..."

Hahaha. "stringent".

Power company: Can we keep using the nuclear plant even though it's been 40 years and the law states we must decommission it at that time?

Government: Sure!

PC: Oh! And we want to build a new plant, too.

Government: It's not on a fault line again, is it?

PC: No no no! We... ummm... we checked. Well, my secretary checked and said so, not me.

Government: Good enough for us!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

And I love the whole, "If you can cut your power during the absolute coldest months of the year by 3% during the months you didn't need to use an air-conditioner or other heaters, we'll give you some points!"

4 ( +6 / -2 )

In our area, we are already "doing our bit". There are few street lights, few neon signs, no vending machines, and no bars or restaurants. People mainly bed by 10 pm and up by 5 am.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Research by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) estimates that roughly 90 percent of existing US homes are under-insulated.

https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/how-much-insulation

0 ( +3 / -3 )

How about insulating homes with thermal insulation? house's would be warmer and cooler in the summer. fix draughts around windows, doors etc,

0 ( +2 / -2 )

People in our location have 2-6 cars per house.

Wow. 6 cars in Japan? Why?

I have lived in colder houses in the UK and Europe.

@wallace

I'm sure you have, but that doesn't really mean anything. Houses in Britain and Europe are generally better insulated than those in Japan. It's a fact, and there's not a lot of room for debate.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Zizi

   People in our location have 2-6 cars per house.

> Wow. 6 cars in Japan? Why?

Because there are large families living in 6-15LDK houses and people need their cars to get to work since we have no trains.

   I have lived in colder houses in the UK and Europe.

I'm sure you have, but that doesn't really mean anything. Houses in Britain and Europe are generally better insulated than those in Japan. It's a fact, and there's not a lot of room for debate.

I have lived in cottages in Wales with thick stone walls but no central heating and a single open fire in the living room. Not all British houses have good insulation.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

"we decided to resume"

RIngleader talk.

That sound I hear, is it all those Looter stash vaults opening and cash registers warmin up?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I have lived in cottages in Wales with thick stone walls but no central heating and a single open fire in the living room. Not all British houses have good insulation.

Oh, then I hear you.

My mother is Welsh, so know where you're coming from.

As for the cars, that's mad. 6-15 LDK. Makes me remember how tiny my little apartment in Hatagaya was when I first arrived in Tokyo all those years ago. 15 LDK????

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Zizi

which is why we live in the seaside and countryside in Hyogo and not in Tokyo. Many large farmhouses wide tidy roads. Many homes with three generations.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The heating at Internet Cafe's need to be turned down. They are turned up so high that you can wear a T-shirt and still feel hot.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Tokyo is overrated and expensive.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Tokyo is not for everyone.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Back on topic please.

The government plans to award points to households that cut monthly electricity consumption by 3 percent or more compared with the previous year, in coordination with utilities' reward point systems.

There is no way that I am going to freeze in the winter here just to gain ‘points’!

Are they mental?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Energy saving is important. I for one am glad because energy saving has been a hobby of mine for many a decade. This year I have deconstructed my “Kotatasu” table and fixed the heater to the ceiling of my bedroom of my 1R residence. I then purchased additional blankets from Nitori, and extended the apparatus of the “kotatsu” so that they envelop the entire room. I did however have to cut a hole for the door, a most onerous task. I have saved fourteen hundred yen (approximately) this year alone. I hope everyone will follow my humble example.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I’m sick of watching big business stores, supermarkets and pachinko parlors luxuriating in bright warm comfort while poor families freeze. Dutifully trotting off shopping with eco bags while supermarkets continue to wrap their foods in so much plastic you need scissors to remove it. Living all together in one AC room while the other rooms are freezing cold (or baking hot in summer). This is stupid. People are being used.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You can't ask people not to use electricity as the cold weather is approaching!

And for the amount I/we pay each month, there's no reason why I / we should make any cutbacks to our power usage. Instead of the government handing out money over fist to 'help' people, how about providing us with some free solar-panels to generate our own in-house power?

Oh yeah, I forgot, TIJ. Logic goes out the window!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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