Japan to ask businesses, households to save energy in winter

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Japan plans to ask businesses and households to save electricity during the coming winter season, according to a media report.

The plan aims to lower power consumption in the winter throughout the country. If realized, it would be the first in seven years for the season, according to the Japan Times newspaper.

The government expects utilities to maintain a reserve power supply capacity rate of 3%, the lowest level necessary to provide a stable electricity supply, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a meeting, it added.

The plan follows a similar request made during the current summer from July to September, which was also the first request for that season in as many years.

Japan, a major energy importing country, struggles with power issues and high energy costs. It has the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity in the world and ranks second after China in LNG imports to power its plants and produce electricity.

But Russia's war on Ukraine and natural gas shortages in Europe have created disruptions in the global LNG market where overall supply lags total demand.