Key Facts
• July 18: Rainy season ends in Kanto-Koshin, Hokuriku, and southern Tohoku regions.
• July 20: Upper House election voting and counting scheduled.
• 40 locations recorded temperatures above 35°C; 540 locations exceeded 30°C.
• Tokyo reached a high of 32.1°C, increasing air conditioning reliance.
• Government to subsidize electricity and gas costs from July to September.
• Edogawa Ward offers electricity bill support for households with seniors aged 75+.
• Kansai and Kyushu regions benefit from lower electricity rates due to high nuclear plant utilization.
• Ruling parties (Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito) advocate nuclear power plant restarts.
• Opposition parties differ: Constitutional Democratic Party aims for nuclear phase-out by 2050, while others support renewable energy.
• Economist Hideo Kumano emphasizes the need for long-term energy policy discussions.
Summary
As Japan faces record-breaking heat, energy policy has become a critical issue in the final days of the Upper House election campaign. With temperatures exceeding 35°C in 40 locations and 30°C in 540 locations, air conditioning has become essential, further straining household budgets already impacted by inflation. The government has introduced subsidies for electricity and gas costs during the summer, while some local governments, like Edogawa Ward, provide additional support for vulnerable populations. Regional disparities in electricity costs highlight the role of nuclear power, with Kansai and Kyushu benefiting from lower rates due to higher nuclear plant utilization. The ruling coalition supports nuclear restarts, while opposition parties are divided, with some advocating for renewable energy and others pushing for a nuclear phase-out by 2050. Experts stress the importance of long-term, comprehensive energy policy discussions to address both immediate and future challenges.
