TOKYO - The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to waive basic water charges for all ordinary households in the city this summer, covering approximately 8 million households.
The move is intended to ease the financial burden on residents amid rising temperatures and inflation, while encouraging the use of air conditioning during extreme heat.
Basic water fees for households in Tokyo currently range from 860 yen to 1,460 yen per month. The metropolitan government is expected to submit a supplementary budget bill to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly next month to fund the initiative.
The proposal comes after Tokyo Governor Koike received a joint request on May 19th from the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, and Tomin First no Kai to implement the measure as part of broader heat countermeasures.
If implemented, Tokyo would become the first prefecture in Japan to eliminate the basic water charge. Reactions have been mixed. While many Tokyoites welcomed the relief—"It’s like getting a year-end bonus!" said one—residents of neighboring Saitama expressed envy and called on the national government to provide equal support. Saitama Governor Motohiro Ono remarked, "Only Tokyo has the financial strength to do this. National funding should ensure fairness."
Saitama, like many municipalities, has been forced to raise water rates in recent years due to aging infrastructure. Some cities, such as Kawaguchi, are considering hikes of up to 22% next fiscal year.
With Tokyo's gubernatorial election approaching in July, the timing of this policy has led to speculation that it is politically motivated. Asked about this, Koike responded, "This is about protecting the lives and well-being of Tokyo residents. That remains the priority."
Beyond households, heat countermeasures in workplaces will become mandatory from June. Under new regulations, if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index exceeds 28 or the ambient temperature reaches 31°C, and workers are exposed for over an hour or four hours cumulatively in a day, employers must take action or face penalties of up to six months in prison or a 500,000 yen fine.
At a golf course expected to fall under the regulation, managers have introduced air-conditioned golf carts with adjustable temperatures between 5°C and 26°C. "Players and caddies sweat just from a single swing. Staying cool is essential," said the facility’s operator.
Home appliance maker Sharp has also developed a refrigerator that supercools drinks just below freezing. A simple shock can turn them into instant slushies—an innovation aimed at helping workers in places where air conditioning is not feasible.
As summer approaches, local and national governments alike are under growing pressure to implement effective and equitable countermeasures against the life-threatening heat. The debate over how and who should pay continues. A recent survey found that 55% of the public believes basic utility waivers should be implemented nationwide and funded by the central government.
Source: FNN
