Regarding the June 6 article "A few simple steps can save energy": Here in the mountains of Shiga Prefecture, it never gets too hot. Yet, we bought an air conditioner and use it 365 nights a year because we need to sleep with the windows closed.
That's because there is a newspaper-delivery motorbike rally from 2:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. every night, and the riders can't seem to prevent their brakes from squeaking.
The weather is beautiful now, yet all our neighbors sleep with their windows closed and with the air conditioner on, just as we do.
I often work from home, and my wife studies. We find it tempting to close the windows and use the air conditioner all day for the same reason that we do it at night.
Afternoon-edition deliveries of the same newspapers, the high-decibel-announcements from recycling trucks, the sales tune blaring from the tofu seller, the entrancing music from the truck selling clothes-hanging rods, plus the arrival of postal and other delivery services several times a day are just some of the reasons why we want to cocoon behind closed windows.
Simply: Japan has delivery sickness and needs noise laws. I have a very strong suspicion that laws with teeth could fix this and help greatly with Japan's electricity problem.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.