As the nation prepares for a heatwave, the Japanese government has asked residents of Tokyo and the neighboring region to use minimal electricity on Monday.
Although Isesaki, a city northwest of the capital, experienced a high of 40.2C over the weekend, metropolitan Tokyo’s temperature climbed above 35C. The heat in June was the worst ever for Japan.
From 15:00 Tokyo time (07:00 BST), the government advised citizens to switch off superfluous lights for three hours while “fully using air conditioning and replenishing in steamy hours.”
Since certain nuclear power reactors’ operations had to be suspended in March as a result of an earthquake in Japan’s northeast, the country has had a limited supply of electricity.
The ministry stated that the situation was “unpredictable” as temperatures rise, despite the fact that electrical suppliers are attempting to enhance supply.
“The backup margin will go below the minimum necessary of 3 percent,” it warned. “If there is a spike in demand and unexpected supply problems.”
In an effort to reduce carbon dioxide pollution, authorities have also shut down a number of outdated fossil fuel plants.
An energy constraint has been caused by these problems and a rise in electrical consumption.
