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| Japan urges 37 million people to switch off lights | Japan urges 37 million people to switch off lights |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Japan's government has urged people in Tokyo and its surrounding area to use less electricity on Monday, as it warned that supplies will be strained as the country faces a heatwave. | Japan's government has urged people in Tokyo and its surrounding area to use less electricity on Monday, as it warned that supplies will be strained as the country faces a heatwave. |
| The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects demand for power to be "severe" this afternoon local time. | The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects demand for power to be "severe" this afternoon local time. |
| It said people should switch off unnecessary lights but still use air conditioning to avoid heatstroke. | It said people should switch off unnecessary lights but still use air conditioning to avoid heatstroke. |
| For weeks, officials have warned of a power crunch as temperatures rise. | For weeks, officials have warned of a power crunch as temperatures rise. |
| Over the weekend, the temperature in central Tokyo rose above 35C, while the city of Isesaki, northwest of the capital, saw a record 40.2C. That was the highest temperature ever recorded in June for Japan. | Over the weekend, the temperature in central Tokyo rose above 35C, while the city of Isesaki, northwest of the capital, saw a record 40.2C. That was the highest temperature ever recorded in June for Japan. |
| June marks the start of summer in Japan, with temperatures typically staying below 30C during the month. | |
| In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said that excess generating capacity for electricity was expected to drop to 3.7% on Monday afternoon in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures. It views a buffer of 3% as necessary for stable power supply. | In a statement on Sunday, the ministry said that excess generating capacity for electricity was expected to drop to 3.7% on Monday afternoon in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures. It views a buffer of 3% as necessary for stable power supply. |
| The government asked people to turn off unnecessary lights for three hours from 15:00 Tokyo time (07:00 BST) while "properly using air conditioning and hydrating during hot hours". | The government asked people to turn off unnecessary lights for three hours from 15:00 Tokyo time (07:00 BST) while "properly using air conditioning and hydrating during hot hours". |
| Yen falls as Bank of Japan bucks rate rise trend | Yen falls as Bank of Japan bucks rate rise trend |
| Japan reopens to tourists but with strict rules | Japan reopens to tourists but with strict rules |
| Although electricity providers are working to increase supply, the ministry said the situation was "unpredictable" as temperatures climb. | Although electricity providers are working to increase supply, the ministry said the situation was "unpredictable" as temperatures climb. |
| "If there is an increase in demand and sudden supply troubles, the reserve margin will fall below the minimum required of 3%," it said. | "If there is an increase in demand and sudden supply troubles, the reserve margin will fall below the minimum required of 3%," it said. |
| Japan's power supply has been tight since an earthquake in its northeastern region in March forced some nuclear power plants to suspend operations. | Japan's power supply has been tight since an earthquake in its northeastern region in March forced some nuclear power plants to suspend operations. |
| Officials have also closed several aging fossil fuel plants in an attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions. | Officials have also closed several aging fossil fuel plants in an attempt to cut carbon dioxide emissions. |
| These issues, along with a surge in demand for electricity, have resulted in a power squeeze. | These issues, along with a surge in demand for electricity, have resulted in a power squeeze. |
| Earlier this month, the Japanese government called on households and companies to save as much electricity as possible during the summer. | |
| Meanwhile, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that 46 people in Tokyo had been taken to hospital for suspected heatstroke, as of Sunday afternoon. | Meanwhile, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that 46 people in Tokyo had been taken to hospital for suspected heatstroke, as of Sunday afternoon. |
| It also said a 94-year-old man in the nearby Kawagoe city was suspected to have died from the condition. | It also said a 94-year-old man in the nearby Kawagoe city was suspected to have died from the condition. |
| The news comes after Australian officials urged households in New South Wales - a state which includes the country's biggest city Sydney - to switch off their lights in the face of an energy crisis. Restrictions on the Australian wholesale energy market were lifted late last week. | The news comes after Australian officials urged households in New South Wales - a state which includes the country's biggest city Sydney - to switch off their lights in the face of an energy crisis. Restrictions on the Australian wholesale energy market were lifted late last week. |
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| Why are UK energy prices so high? | Why are UK energy prices so high? |