Train services were reduced, companies sent their workers home and stores were closed early after the government warned that an unpredictable massive blackout could occur in the Tokyo area Thursday evening.
AP Photo/The Yomiuri Shimbun, Yasuhiro Takami
In this photo taken Sunday, March 13, 2011, train rails bent by a powerful earthquake-triggered tsunami get stuck by a bridge in Otsuchicho town, northern Japan, two days after the earthquake hit the country's east coast.
The development came even as Tokyo Electric Power Co. implemented rolling blackouts Thursday for the fourth consecutive day in part of the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo to cover substantial power shortages following last week's massive earthquake in Japan.
The government explained that power demand in the metropolitan area increased overnight due to cold temperatures, calling for further efforts by businesses and individuals to save power.
The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry asked railway operators serving the area to reduce the number of trains from the evening through night Thursday, when the use of electricity was expected to peak for the day amid the commuter rush, as an emergency measure.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Banri Kaieda said that despite the power rationing measure in Tepco's service area, demand for electricity already approached the supply capacity in the morning hours. According to Tepco, power demand temporarily hit 33.3 million kilowatts between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., against its supply capacity of 33.5 million kilowatts for Thursday.
Railway operators, including East Japan Railway Co., Tokyo Metro Co. Odakyu Electric Railway Co. and Tokyu Corp., said they would cut the number of local trains in the Tokyo metropolitan area from 5 p.m. Thursday.
Among other businesses, many companies sent workers home early, while some department stores in Tokyo closed for the day earlier than scheduled. Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co. plans to halve the fluorescent lighting at its stores.
Tepco later said demand stood around 29.0 million kilowatts as of 5 p.m. and demand was below supply during the anticipated peak time of between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
The electricity company said some areas may experience sudden blackouts if excess demand over supply continues but explained that a slight surpassing of demand over supply would not immediately lead to a massive metropolitan blackout.
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry later later said the possibility of a massive blackout would be low for Thursday if demand remained at current levels.
Around 10 million households were affected by Tepco's electricity rationing Thursday. Tohoku Electric Power Co. serving northeastern Japan, meanwhile, announced it has decided to forgo power rationing all day Thursday.
Confusion has continued since the start of the area-by-area power rationing Monday, with more than 120 cases of people getting stuck in elevators reported so far and many shops forced to suspend business for the time being.
The power saving measure is expected to continue until the end of April in areas around Tokyo, stirring concerns over economic stagnation and disruption to people's lives.
©japantimes.co.jp
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