Tokyo June heatwave worst since 1875 as power supply creaks under strain (updated)

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28/06/2022 06:30

(Adds comment, details throughout)
    By Sakura Murakami and Elaine Lies
    TOKYO, June 28 (Reuters) - Japan baked under scorching
temperatures for a fourth successive day on Tuesday, as the
capital's heat broke nearly 150-year-old records for June and
authorities warned power supply remained tight enough to raise
the spectre of cuts.
    The heatwave comes less than two weeks before a national
election in which prices, including the cost of electricity, are
among key issues picked by voters in opinion polls that show the
government's approval rating slipping - with politicians
including Tokyo's governor urging power price cuts. 
    A high of 34 C was predicted for Tokyo on Tuesday, after
three successive days of temperatures topping 35 C - the worst
streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875. 
    Cases of hospitalisation from heatstroke rose early in the
day, with many in the capital continue to flout government
advice by continuing to wear face masks outdoors - a legacy of
more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    For a second day, authorities asked consumers in the Tokyo
area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut. The
heatwave comes less than two weeks before a national election in
which surging prices - including electricity - are rated the top
concern for voters in opinion polls that show the government's
approval rating slipping.
    As of 9 a.m. local time (0000 GMT), 13 people had been taken
to hospital with suspected heatstroke, Fuji News Network said.
At least two people are believed to have died from heatstroke,
media said, prompting authorities to moderate their calls for
power saving.
    "Apparently there are some elderly people who have turned
off their air conditioners because we are asking people to save
energy, but please - it's this hot - don't hesitate about
cooling off," trade and industry minister Koichi Hagiuda told a
news conference.
    The reserve ratio for Tokyo during the evening (1630-1700)
on Tuesday was expected to fall below 5% as of Monday evening,
close to the minimum of 3% that ensures stable supply, in Tokyo
and eight surrounding prefectures. Reserve capacity below 3%
risks power shortages and blackouts.
    On Tuesday, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
(METI) said predictions had improved slightly, but still called
for consumers to be economical with power use. 
    Monday's warning prompted government offices, including
METI, to turn off some lights in the afternoon and evening, with
METI haling use of 25% of elevators in its building.
    Electronics stores took similar steps, shutting off
televisions and other goods on sales floors that would normally
be kept on to lure buyers, and some Tokyo residents said on
social media they were turning off all appliances not in use. 
    But politicians began to call for further steps. 
    Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike attended a meeting of Tokyo
Electric Power Co (TEPCO)  9501.T  shareholders on Tuesday,
later saying she had called for price cuts, Fuji News Network
reported. TEPCO provides power to the greater Tokyo region. 
    Though expected to do well in the July 10 election for the
upper house of parliament, Kishida's ruling party faces
headwinds from rising prices, worsened by a slide in the value
of the yen that makes imports more costly.
    The Kishida cabinet's approval came to 50% in a voter survey
conducted by public broadcaster NHK on June 24-26, down from 55%
last week.
    Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the junior partner in Kishida's
coalition government, warned on Monday in a campaign speech that
citizens were risking heatstroke by trying to economise on
power.
    "What I would really like is for the government to tell
power companies to lower costs," he was quoted by Kyodo news
agency as saying. 
    "I'd like to contact the prime minister, who's currently
visiting Europe," he added - a reference to Kishida's attendance
at the G7 summit, meaning the premier is out of the country
during an election campaign period, a significant departure from
usual practice. 

 (Additional reporting by Sakura Murakami, Kantaro Komiya and
Yuka Obayashi; Writing by Elaine Lies; Editing by Kenneth
Maxwell)
 ((elaine.lies@thomsonreuters.com; +81-3-4563-2748; Reuters
Messaging: elaine.lies@thomsonreuters.com))