Tohoku Electric Power Co. sought government approval Thursday to raise household electricity rates by an average of 11.41 percent from July 1 to offset its worsening business due to the shutdown of its atomic reactors due to the March 2011 megaquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters.
The utility, which supplies power to areas that include disaster-hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, said it also plans an average 17.74 percent rate hike for corporate users from July 1, a move that does not require government approval.
The firm said it has no plans to give special treatment to people and companies affected by the disasters in introducing the rate hikes, a move that may have an impact on ongoing reconstruction efforts in the disaster-devastated Tohoku region.