Japan Press Weekly

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2012 April 18 - 24 [NUCLEAR CRISIS]

JCP requests TEPCO to reconsider plan to raise electricity rates

Japanese Communist Party members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on April 18 requested Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to reconsider its intent to raise the electricity rate.

TEPCO announced in January its plan to increase electricity charges by 17% on average from April for business operators with power contracts over 50kW. TEPCO said that it would stop the power supply if they refuse the hike.

The JCP lawmakers pointed out that the price increase would do serious damage to small- and medium-sized businesses as well as to medical facilities. They criticized TEPCO for shifting the cost for the Fukushima nuclear accident and compensation payments onto the general public by raising power rates.

TEPCO’s section manager in charge of the metropolitan area explained that soaring crude oil prices are forcing TEPCO to raise power rates as it needs to start operations of thermal power plants instead of nuclear power ones in order to meet demand in the coming summer months. On the other hand, the manager said, “I understand that the hike announcement has triggered strong public criticism.”

The JCP group demanded that TEPCO reconsider its raising of electric rates for small- and medium-sized businesses, condominium associations, and medical institutions, and carry out its responsibility to supply electricity even if they refuse to go along with the price hike.

JCP Metropolitan Assembly members, Shimizu Hideko, Tazoe Tamio, and Azegami Miwako took part in the representations.