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Summer heat stifles Tokyo as Japan rebuilds economy

by VOA News

The Japanese economy was hit hard by the huge earthquake in March, with the twin disasters of the tsunami and the ensuing crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant impacting severely on economic output. Industry bosses are counting on the reconstruction effort to stimulate demand in the coming months. The summer commute in Tokyo is even more stifling this year. A power shortage means air conditioners are being switched off. As temperatures build to the mid-30s centigrade, bosses have ordered workers to abandon their normally ubiquitous jackets and ties. Companies and households are being asked to slash power consumption by 15 per cent. Latest figures show the Japanese are complying - electricity demand has so far peaked at only 88 per cent of supply. (VOA News)