Japan is asking around 37 million people living in and around Tokyo to use less electricity and air conditioning even during a record heat wave that saw temperatures in parts of the country exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). The government has urged the capital's citizens to turn off their lights and power switches to three hours of the afternoon and use air conditioning, " appropriately " as the country struggles with growing electricity shortages. The demand comes despite experts warning that record-breaking temperatures could continue for weeks. " Please save as much energy as possible, for example by turning off lights that are not in use, " the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Monday. He said the proper use of air conditioning included " preventing heatstroke ". Japan's power supply has been scarce since March, when an earthquake in the northeast forced some nuclear power plants to suspend operations. At the same time, demand has been at its highest since 2011, when Japan was hit by the strongest earthquake in its history. The ministry warned that the mismatch between supply and demand is becoming " serious ". But with recent temperatures rising to dangerous levels, rationing electricity won't be easy. On Tuesday, Tokyo experienced blistering heat of the fourth consecutive day after set records for the month of June over the weekend. On Saturday, temperatures in the capital reached 35.4 degrees Celsius (about 96 Fahrenheit), while the city of Isesaki, northwest of Tokyo, reached 40.2 degrees Celsius (about 104 Fahrenheit), the highest. Of the country in June since record recording began in 1875. The city of Nagano in central Japan reached 35.1 degrees Celsius (about 95 Fahrenheit), and the Takada district of Niigata prefecture on the west coast recorded 36 , 7 degrees Celsius (about 98 Fahrenheit). The sweltering temperatures are expected to last for the rest of the week and possibly worsen, meaning electricity demand is likely to rise as residents stay home and turn on the air conditioning. The heatwave in Japan is just one of many occurring around the world as scientists warn / warned that extreme weather is becoming more frequent due to the escalating climate crisis. Rising temperatures in India and Pakistan in recent weeks have forced schools to close, damaged crops, put pressure on energy supplies and kept residents indoors - with some experts wondering if such heat was suitable for human survival. Rising temperatures in India and Pakistan in recent weeks have forced schools to close, damaged crops, put pressure on energy supplies and kept residents indoors - with some experts wondering if such heat was suitable for human survival.
Economically, heat could be a double-edged sword, said Yoshiki Shinke, senior executive economist at the Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute.
"The blistering heat is said to increase private consumption during the summer through increased sales of beverages and appliances ... but excessive heat can curb consumption," he added, noting that people stay indoors and out. vegetable prices rise.
Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the junior partner in the Kishida coalition government, warned in an election speech on Monday that citizens were risking heatstroke by trying to save on power.
"What I really want is for the government to tell power companies to cut costs," Kyodo news agency said.
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