Tokyo June heatwave worst since 1875 as power supply creaks under strain
Japan baked under scorching temperatures for a fourth successive day on Tuesday, as the capital’s heat broke nearly 150year-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.
Temperatures in the capital hit 35.1°C by 1pm local time on Tuesday, after three successive days of temperatures topping 35°C — the worst streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875.
And the heatwave is not about to break: the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast highs of 36°C for Tokyo on Thursday and 35°C on Friday.
With heatstroke alerts issued in some areas of the country for Tuesday, cases of hospitalisation rose early in the day.
Many in the capital and elsewhere continue to flout government advice to reduce heatstroke risks by not wearing face masks outdoors — a legacy of more than two years of widespread mask wearing in public settings during the Covid-19 pandemic.
For a second day, authorities asked consumers in the Tokyo area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut.
As of 9am local time, 13 people had been taken to hospital in the capital with suspected heatstroke, Fuji News Network said.
At least two people are believed to have died from heatstroke, 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 said.
The reserve ratio for Tokyo during the evening on Tuesday was expected to fall below 5%, 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 to turn off some lights in the afternoon and evening.
Electronics stores took similar steps, shutting off televisions and other goods on sales floors, 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) shareholders on Tuesday, later saying she had called for price cuts, Fuji News Network reported.