As winter descends on Japan, the soaring energy prices squeezing budgets around the world are starting to hurt the nation’s consumers and companies. Bathhouse owner Atsushi Tsukui is just one of many whose business is under pressure.
The 29-year-old and his wife took over the family sentō, a type of public bath common in Japan, in July. The kerosene used to heat its large, communal bathtubs in Gunma Prefecture has since become so expensive that they are considering substituting some of it for firewood.
"It feels completely different now,” Tsukui said. The price of kerosene — which is commonly used to heat homes outside of big cities — has shot up 24% in little more than a month. "This is the first winter season I’ve experienced since taking over the business, but times are really hard.”