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TOKYO (AP) — Japan began imposing energy restrictions on
companies, shopping malls and other major electricity users Friday
to cope with power shortages caused by the loss of a tsunami-hit
nuclear power plant.
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Big factories, office buildings, universities and department stores
in the Tokyo area must use 15 percent less electricity than a year
ago. Electricity is in short supply due to the shutdown of the
Fukushima Dai-ichi plant hit by the massive March 11 earthquake and
tsunami.
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The restrictions on power use from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays
last until Sept. 22, and violators face fines of up to 1 million
yen ($12,400). The limit does not apply to households, but the
government has urged them to conserve energy.
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“We ask their cooperation so that we can all overcome the energy
crunch,” trade ministry official Satoshi Koyanagi said. The
government has already implemented energy-saving measures such as
disabling extra elevators and turning off lights.
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Tokyo Electric Power Co. expects to supply 56.8 million kilowatts
for Tokyo and its vicinity in July, short of an estimated demand of
60 million kilowatts. The company later Friday said it’s estimated
supply would be slightly less in August.
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To cope with the shortage, Sony Corp. said it would turn off air
conditioning at its Tokyo headquarters after 6 p.m. It also is
starting the business day an hour earlier at 8:30 a.m., spokesman
Atsuo Omagari said.
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The Tokyo Stock Exchange turned off its electronic price ticker and
will not receive visitors until the end of September.
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“We are turning off all lights and air conditioning in the
visitors’ areas,” said Yukari Hozumi, a stock exchange
spokeswoman.
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Major department store Mitsukoshi said it has turned off
unnecessary lights and disabled some elevators and
escalators.
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Tokyo’s city-operated subway stations are turning off air
conditioning at platforms between noon and 3 p.m.
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East Japan Railway has been operating fewer train services from
noon to 3 p.m. in the Tokyo area since June 24.
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Conservation efforts during Japan’s hot summer has triggered some
concerns about heat-related illnesses.
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The temperature in Tokyo rose to 93 Fahrenheit (33.9 Celsius) on
Friday and could reach 100 Fahrenheit during the next three
months.
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“Be careful about heat strokes,” warned the Meteorological Agency,
which has set up a special site for the problem on its
website.
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The government also has launched a campaign urging office workers
to shed their suits and ties for lighter clothes such as polo
shirts to endure the country’s summer heat.
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Copyright
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
