 "Tokyo waives water fees to help residents beat the heat")
Authorities in Tokyo have waived water fees for residents as a heatwave sweeps the Japanese capital. Japan’s government is helping people combat extreme heat after over 200 people died in the country of heatstroke last year.
In Tokyo, the government has set aside some 36 billion yen in subsidies for the water cost waiver that will be effective for the next four months. Last year, many of the victims who died in the harsh summers did not own an air conditioner or did not use it owing to high costs.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said, “We are worried that people might refrain from using their air conditioners because they are concerned about living expenses [and] considered what we could do to help pay their bills.”
He added, “We would like to create an environment in which all Tokyoites can live in peace even in the extremely hot weather we are expected to experience this summer.”
In Tokyo, base water fees typically range from 860 yen to 1,460 yen per month, depending on the diameter of the household’s water pipe. Additional charges, calculated based on actual water usage, are applied separately at standard rates.
Temperatures in Tokyo reached 30 degrees Celsius on Tuesday for the first time this year. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, temperatures in Hachioji, Tokyo, reached 33.5 degrees Celsius, while other areas of Tokyo also saw temperatures rise above 30 degrees Celsius.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsLast week, a new report from the US-based research group Climate Central said scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world,
Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
