A power shortage, the largest since 2011 and the Fukushima-1 disaster, awaits more than 1.1 million homes in the winter of 2022/2023, Kyodo reported.

The main reason for the upcoming deficit is the shutdown of most thermal power plants, as well as the slow process of resuming the work of Japanese nuclear power plants. The problems with nuclear power plants are related to the fact that, despite the decree of the Cabinet of Ministers, local authorities in prefectures refuse to allow energy companies to resume work.

Also problematic is the uncertainty in the possibility of purchasing Russian energy resources. In order to safely pass the winter period, Japanese energy companies must have an electricity reserve ratio of 3% of supply in relation to demand. At the moment, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) is at -0.6%.