Tohoku Electric Power Co. said Tuesday that it will implement electricity rationing on Wednesday to deal with power shortages, just a day after Tokyo Electric Power Co. took the same measure in areas near the capital.
With rationing set to continue through the end of April in eastern Japan, and even longer in the northeast, concerns are growing over the impact on the economy and everyday lives through the suspension of factory operations and reduced train services.
While Tepco's plan is to conduct area-by-area power rationing between 6:20 a.m. and 10 p.m. in five different zones, supply and demand will determine whether rationing is actually implemented.