Gov’t warns of massive blackout in Tokyo area.

TOKYO —

The government warned that an unpredictable massive blackout could occur in the Tokyo area on Thursday night as power demand in the region has increased overnight due to cold temperatures, calling for further efforts by businesses and individuals to save power.

The development came even as Tokyo Electric Power Co implemented rolling blackouts Thursday for the fourth consecutive day mainly in the Kanto region surrounding Tokyo to cover substantial power shortages following last week’s massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan which crippled some nuclear power plants.

As an emergency measure, the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry asked railway operators serving the metropolitan area to reduce the number of trains from evening to night, when the use of electricity was expected to peak for the day amid the commuter rush.

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 decided to close for the day earlier than scheduled. Convenience store operator FamilyMart Co plans to halve the fluorescent lighting at its stores.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/govt-warns-of-massive-blackout-in-tokyo-area-on-bigger-power-demand