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It’s no secret that consumer costs are increasing all across the world. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the complications of a post-pandemic world have caused prices of everyday things, like gasoline, groceries, and utilities, to go up across the board. Japan is feeling that crunch too, and a lot of people are struggling because of it.
That’s why the city of Sapporo in the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido, following similar policies made by local governments during the initial stages of the pandemic, is subsidizing the cost of the city’s water by reducing residents’ bills to help offset the rising cost of living. All households within the city, totaling 1,020,000 accounts, will be exempt from paying the 1,452 yen monthly household base charge for waterworks in October and November, totaling 2,904 yen. Residents need not apply to have the fee removed; it will be automatically discounted on the October and November bills.
Additionally, to support child-rearing as inflation increases, the city will be granting families with children under the age of 18 cash payments of 10,000 yen per child, regardless of family income.
The plan is expected to cost the Sapporo City government 3.03 billion yen, but the funds are expected to come from grants provided by the national government for COVID-19 protection and support. A new, revised budget will be discussed at an emergency city council meeting to be held next month, but the government is expected to add about 12.2 billion yen to the budget to fund these initiatives.
At a press conference shortly after the benefit was announced, the mayor of Sapporo told reporters, “We can’t predict the future of inflation, but we can assume it will continue for a long while. Going forward, we’ll also be creating systems that will help reduce the burden on residents and businesses.”
2,904 yen might not sound like much, but when you’re struggling to make ends meet in an unforgiving world, every little bit helps! We can only hope the inflation will slow in the coming months to ease the burdens on everyone’s daily lives.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun, HTB News via Hachima Kiko
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- https://soranews24.com/2022/07/23/city-of-sapporo-to-subsidize-the-price-of-city-water-to-help-offset-rising-consumer-costs/
11 Comments
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JeffLee
When I read this, I wondered how the lost revenue would be made up, and assumed the city would need federal help. That's because the national govt can print yen, ie, "the funds," whereas local govts cannot. This is now public finance works, folks!
dagon
All households within the city, totaling 1,020,000 accounts, will be exempt from paying the 1,452 yen monthly household base charge for waterworks in October and November, totaling 2,904 yen. Residents need not apply to have the fee removed; it will be automatically discounted on the October and November bills.
Why does Sapporo get subsidies that quickly and efficiently go to help the populace while Tokyo and the national government always subsidize businesses exclusively (oil/tourism/human resources) and somehow believe the benefits will trickle down to the public?
Rodney
Amazing how water is so expensive when it falls down from the sky for free and there is mass of underground rivers. (There is a well near my house that all locals use for drinking water and cooking.)
Mark
""caused prices of everyday things, like gasoline, groceries, and utilities, to go up across the board. Japan is feeling that crunch too, and a lot of people are struggling because of it.
I disagree with the Prices of everything to go UP!! I agree with the later part ""People are struggling""
Prices of Utilities and gasoline believe or not are unchanged the is to shop smart which most people don't because they are too lazy or have not got the time.
As for groceries very few items did increase but almost all basic foods like milk, eggs, coffee, meats, fish, drinks, many fruits, and vegis, even rice are unchanged or increased by 3 to 12 yens.
I may sound like a tight a$$ but I shop at the same place so it is very easy for me to see price changes.
People are struggling because their Salaries are frozen, the city office is RIPPING them off with their Tax scams, and the central government is doing NOTHING to stop them.
Pukey2
People use way too much water. I try to recycle as much as possible. You don't need to use water that's fit for drinking to flush the toilets.
Awhaleoftime
Amazing how little people know about civil engineering and the management of water resources.
Awhaleoftime
Oh dear!
wallace
Water has to be collected, from rivers and reservoirs. Purified and tested for health. Transported by a system of underground pipes, some as large as 2 meters in diameter. After use water must be again collected and with sewage cleaned before being released.
If people want "water from the sky" I suggest placing plastic barrels around their house to collect it.
JeffLee
In Bermuda, all households are required by law to have rainwater collection tanks. Not a bad idea in a place where many households can't afford water yet where nature provides them with plenty of precipitation.
wtfjapan
You don't need to use water that's fit for drinking to flush the toilets.
the benefits of country living, a well thats used for baths washing clothes, toilets, city water just used for cooking. just topped up my pool last night about 1000L. yes my electric bill is slightly higher , but my city water bill is lower than most.