Tokyo Eyes Plan to Waive Basic Water Fees for Summer

   Tokyo, May 20 (Jiji Press)--The Tokyo metropolitan government is considering waiving basic water supply charges for all general households in the Japanese capital during this summer to cushion the impact of inflation, informed sources said Tuesday.
   The metropolitan government hopes to encourage the use of air conditioners to prevent heatstroke by reducing residents' spending on utility bills during the season, in which intense heat is forecast. It plans to implement the program for several months.
   The metropolitan government will submit a supplementary budget bill that features necessary costs for the program to a regular session of its assembly to be convened in June after hammering out the details.
   Water bills in Tokyo comprise fixed basic fees and variable charges depending on usage amount. Fixed basic fees are charged based on the size of water pipes. For general households, the monthly basic fee for a 13-millimeter pipe is 860 yen, that for a 20-millimeter pipe 1,170 yen and that for a 25-millimeter pipe 1,460 yen. This summer's program will not waive variable water usage fees.
   For some areas in Tokyo where the metropolitan government's Bureau of Waterworks does not supply tap water, a similar scheme to waive basic water supply fees is being considered, the sources said.

(2025/05/20-16:17)