The government-led "Cool Biz" no-tie, no-jacket campaign aimed at reducing power consumption by cutting back on the use of air conditioning this summer helped save enough power to supply 240,000 households a month, according to Tokyo Electric Power Co.
Between June and August, about 70 million kwh is estimated to have been saved, which in turn helped reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 27,000 tons, the nation's largest utility said Thursday.
The power saved, however, represented just 0.08 percent of the power Tepco generated in the three-month period.
Led by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the government promoted the "Cool Biz" summertime casual dress code for men as part of its efforts to fight global warming. It called for setting air conditioner thermostats at 28.
Summer power consumption peaked at 60.12 million kw, lower than the record-high 64.30 million kw marked in 2001.
Of the margin of 4.18 million kw, Tepco estimates "Cool Biz" accounted for 150,000 kw, or 3.6 percent.