Now that we are entering the hottest part of the Japanese summer, it's time to get really serious about saving electricity — in the kitchen as much as anywhere.

The power shortages caused by failed or closed power plants (nuclear and otherwise) will affect the whole nation, as soaring temperatures cause even the strongest-willed among us to reach for the air conditioner remote. And while the government has offered power-saving tips such as remembering to switch off unnecessary lights and appliances, there are also a number of ways you can keep a low-energy kitchen this summer.

There are lots of ways to cut down on power consumption in the tastiest room of the home, besides simply switching off and unplugging unused devices. For example, if your refrigerator is set to a very cold setting, turn it up to medium cooling. Also, overcrowding your fridge will make it operate less efficiently, so now's a great time to clean out all those mystery jars and dishes of leftovers lurking in there.