The relentless summer sizzle has pushed electric power consumption to record highs and boosted consumer demand for summer-season staples -- especially beer.
But it is uncertain if the stimulative effects from the heat wave will prove strong enough to hoist the overall economy onto a recovery path as spending on nonseasonal goods faces cutbacks, industry officials said.
The mercury rose to a record high on July 24 across much of the nation, with electricity demand also posting a record. Tokyo Electric Power Co. even had to borrow a total of 800,000 kw in excess electricity from other power firms to meet surging demand.