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In case you haven't noticed, unseasonably warm weather has already begun to rear its fiery head in Tokyo. With higher temperatures comes more AC usage, which can get pretty pricey over time. To help ease the burden on residents' wallets, the national government has announced its plans to subsidise electric and gas bills this summer.
The ¥500-billion plan comes as a response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has led to increased energy costs. The subsidy will cover around ¥5,000 per household per month from July to September.
More specifically, you'll get ¥3.50 per kilowatt-hour in July and September and ¥4.50 per kilowatt-hour in August, an increase from last year's ¥2 and ¥2.4. If maths and paperwork aren't your forte, not to worry. Your subsidy amount will be automatically calculated and deducted from your bills with no application process necessary.
With all those extra savings, feel free to stock up on a few summer essentials to help you survive the upcoming heat.
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