Electric utilities, their subsidiaries and related organizations provided at least ¥28.7 billion to local governments, mostly as donations, during the five years through March 31, local government sources and data obtained by Kyodo News revealed.
The electric power companies incorporated most of the expenses into their electricity charges for consumers and business clients as necessary costs for power generation.
Such donations are not required to be made public and may amount to more than the latest finding revealed Tuesday, experts said.