How to save electricity in Japan, household winter energy-saving tips

Layer up and turn off the lights came the advice from Japan’s minister of economy, trade and industry ahead of Japan waking up on December 1 to day one of a period of energy saving over the winter amid concerns of a supply crunch. 

Japan’s energy-saving period - the country’s first winter energy-saving period in seven years - is currently due to end on March 31, 2023

During this time authorities are asking households and businesses to cooperate in energy-saving efforts amid concerns over the provision of a stable energy supply.  

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s (METI) Agency for Natural Resources and Energy has put together an energy / electricity-saving “menu” - a list of a number of energy-saving measures which it says can be implemented by households across Japan.

The menu largely focuses on how to save electricity.

In the case of household electricity, usage peaks between the hours of 7-9pm across Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, according to ministry data. In Hokkaido electricity usage is at its highest in the early hours of the morning, between 2-6am. 

“Saving 1% of the electricity consumed by all households would reduce energy consumption by about the same amount as that consumed by about 15,000 convenience stores each day.” - Copy from a poster promoting energy saving by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.

Below is a breakdown of typical household electricity use in Japan (Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku), according to the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy :

*Other: 9.4%

Ministry recommendations on how to save electricity in Japan - the percentage figure indicates the estimated reduction of electricity use for a typical household over one day. (Below is our own unofficial translation (from Japanese) of information on how to save electricity available on the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy’s energy-saving portal.)

Heating

Lower the room temperature by wearing layers of clothing, among other measures. - 2.7% (based on lowering room temperature from 22°C to 20°C when using air conditioning)

Clean clogged air conditioning unit filters - 0.8%

Hang thick curtains over the windows - 0.8%

Use a fan or circulator to circulate warm air around the upper part of rooms - n/a

Lighting

Reduce the brightness of rooms such as living rooms and bedrooms - 1.5%

Turn off all unnecessary lights - 4.5%

Refrigeration

Avoid overcooling the refrigerator (using high-medium settings), reduce the amount of time the refrigerator door is open, and avoid the overstocking of food - 1.5%

Install refrigerators keeping appropriate spacing between the unit and the wall. - n/a

Television

Set the television screens to energy-saving mode, reduce the brightness of the screen. Turn off the screen when not watching - 1%

Bidet toilet

Make use of the timer or power-saving function. If the function is not available, lower the temperature setting for toilet seat warming / warm water and put the toilet seat down - 0.2%

Washing machine

Wash laundry in batches of at least 80 percent capacity - 0.3%

Dryer

Use clothes dryers (including the drying function of washing machines) and bathroom dryers in conjunction with hanging clothes to dry outside/inside to shorten the time spent using drying appliances - 0.5%

*Editor’s note - Bathrooms in some homes in Japan are fitted with drying units in order that clothes can be hung out to dry in the bathroom. Use of these units is especially common when space outside is limited or unavailable.  

Authorities warn not to place laundry, bedding, etc. near stove heaters.

Kotatsu heating

Reduce the time of use by half - 1%

*Editor’s note - A kotatsu is a kind of coffee table the frame of which is fitted with a heater and covered with thick blankets. Typically placed in living rooms, people sit around the kotatsu - using it as a regular coffee table - placing their feet and legs under the table and blanket to keep warm.  

Use a top cover to keep warmth in - n/a

Electric carpets

Cut the heated area in half - 0.9%

Place an insulating mat under the electric carpet - n/a

How to save electricity in Japan through changes in lifestyle - agency recommendations

Lifestyle

Energy can be saved by reviewing one's lifestyle, such as spending time in the living room with the family and turning off lights and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms.

Under-floor heating

Turn off under-floor heating 30 minutes before going to bed or going out.

Energy-saving products

Replacing fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs with LED lights, replacing old air conditioning units with new energy-efficient units, and upgrading to more efficient water heaters (boilers) are also effective energy-saving measures.

Home insulation

Improving the thermal insulation of homes, such as by installing double-glazing in windows, is also an effective saving-energy measure. 

*Editor’s note - Perhaps echoing the sentiment of a comment in a previous article on City-Cost, maybe the authorities should be doing more to ensure a higher-standard of insulation for homes in Japan.

Computer

Take advantage of power-saving settings.

Vacuum cleaner

Replace jammed / overfilled paper collection packs.

When it comes to upgrading and replacing household appliances as a means of saving electricity in Japan, authorities recommend looking for energy-saving labels which offer an indication of an appliance or device’s energy-saving performance as a comparison to that of similar products.  

Under Japan’s Energy Conservation Law the labeling of products to include information about energy consumption efficiency and power or fuel consumption has long been mandatory. A more recent energy-saving label scheme, while voluntary, was designed to offer consumers information about energy efficiency that is easier to understand. 

During times of tight energy supply and demand authorities in Japan may issue a request for the public to refrain from using home appliances that consume large amounts of electricity, including the following:

Iron

Electric pot*

Microwave oven

Hot plate

(Hair) dryer

Toaster

(Induction heating) IH cooker

Dishwasher

Bathroom dryer / washer-dryer

Vacuum cleaner

*Editor's note: Electric pot - often found in hotels in Japan, acts as a kettle in bringing water to boil and then keeps it at a certain temperature ready for use.  

Japan’s regional energy providers have “electricity forecast” information available on their websites which indicate the current demand for electricity being placed on the grid indicated by a percentage.  

Overall energy consumption in Japan increased by two percent year-on-year in 2021, according to a preliminary report by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. Consumption of electricity increased by two percent. The largest increase was seen in coal at just over 12 percent. 

Household energy consumption decreased by 6.5 percent year-on-year due to factors that included people spending less time at home as the spread of the coronavirus slowed, according to the agency.

If you have your own experiences or recommendations on how to save electricity in Japan, please share them with others in the comments below.

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