JAPAN: Restraint on spending and having fun lingers on as Tokyo tries to return to normalcy amid power conservation and austerity measures

Record ID: 463625

  • Title: JAPAN: Restraint on spending and having fun lingers on as Tokyo tries to return to normalcy amid power conservation and austerity measures
  • Date: 3rd April 2011
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (MARCH 31, 2011) (REUTERS) GINZA STREETS ADVERTISEMENT BOARDS ON BUILDING (SOME LIT AND SOME NOT LIT) PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET PEOPLE WALKING INTO DEPARTMENT STORE NOTICE SAYING DEPARTMENT STORE WILL CLOSE AT 7PM DUE TO POWER CONSERVATION MEASURES IN TOKYO PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 51-YEAR-OLD ACCOUNTANT, KAZUTOSHI TAKAO, SAYING: "There are many other things that can be done, but it seems that the government is too preoccupied with the earthquake and nuclear crisis and doesn't have the capacity to deal with anything else. I am worried that nothing is being done to address the economy" PEOPLE WALKING PAST DISPLAY SECTION OF DEPARTMENT STORE WITH LIGHTS OFF MANNEQUINS INSIDE DISPLAY SECTION OF DEPARTMENT STORE (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 23-YEAR-OLD HOTEL EMPLOYEE, MARIE HAKU, SAYING: "I think that if we continue on like this, Japan will slow down even more. I understand the need to not light up the cherry blossoms at night or not hold baseball games at night (to conserve energy) but I also think by just conserving energy at home, we can make a difference" PEOPLE WALKING ON STREETS OF SHIMBASHI AREA PEOPLE WALKING ON STREET PEOPLE WALKING PAST RESTAURANT RESTAURANT STAFF GRILLING YAKITORI STICKS CUSTOMERS INSIDE RESTAURANT RESTAURANT STAFF CUSTOMER POURING BEER (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 43-YEAR-OLD ELECTRONICS PART COMPANY EMPLOYEE, KUNIHIRO TOCHIGI, SAYING: "The situation is bad now, but everyone thinks that we can make a comeback. That is what we believe, we can make a comeback." CUSTOMERS INSIDE RESTAURANT CUSTOMER DRINKING BEER CHERRY BLOSSOM TREE AT UENO PARK BIRDS ON CHERRY BLOSSOM FLOWERS PEOPLE WALKING PAST SIGN SAYING UENO PARK CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IS CANCELLED SIGN SAYING UENO PARK CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IS CANCELLED 25. PEOPLE WALKING PAST CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES PEOPLE INSIDE UENO PARK CHERRY BLOSSOM FLOWERS
  • Embargoed: 18th April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1CKCMN2IUZRUFZGMJ6H2DZPBV
  • Story Text: Life in the Japanese capital of Tokyo, a metropolis of 13 million people, is tiptoeing towards normality from the early post-disaster days when train service was patchy, workers stayed home and groceries were bare of necessities such as bread, milk, toilet paper and diapers.
    But the new normal is a pale shadow of the pre-disaster hustle and bustle, in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeast Japan and triggered a nuclear disaster at a power plant 240 kilometres (150 miles) away.
    Three weeks later, shoplights are dimmed as power shortages persist, only about half the escalators are running in subway stations and Tokyo's boisterous nightlife is only now starting to revive.
    Stress simmers just beneath the surface and an air of self-restraint is keeping shoppers at home, raising concerns about the world's third-biggest economy as it tries to recover from a disaster that caused damages that could top $300 billion.
    In the Ginza district, as famed for its nightlife as its pricey shopping, some people living in the capital said they are hoping the government will take measures to boost Japan's flagging economy in these times of crisis.
    "There are many other things that can be done, but it seems that the government is too preoccupied with the earthquake and nuclear crisis and doesn't have the capacity to deal with anything else. I am worried that nothing is being done to address the economy," said 51-year-old accountant, Kazutoshi Takao.
    Others fret most about the possible spread of radiation from the quake-crippled plant to food and water after high levels were found in vegetables from regions around the plant.
    The battle to stabilise six reactors at Tokyo Electric Power Co's (TEPCO) Fukushima plant could take weeks if not months, followed by a clean-up operation that may drag on for years.
    Repeated and large aftershocks are also fanning fears that a massive quake could strike again, this time closer to home.
    Daily necessities are returning to shop shelves. But items like toilet paper and bottled water -- which disappeared after radiation from the damaged plant briefly made tap water unsafe for infants -- are limited to one per customer to stem hoarding.
    Shoppers' appetite for less urgent spending, especially on luxury goods and travel, is being restrained by a feeling that splurging now is inappropriate when nearly 28,000 are dead or missing and more than 172,400 survivors huddle in shelters.
    But some Tokyo residents fear this artificial frugality is counter-productive.
    "I think that if we continue on like this, Japan will slow down even more. I understand the need to not light up the cherry blossoms at night or not hold baseball games at night (to conserve energy) but I also think by just conserving energy at home, we can make a difference," said 23-year-old hotel employee, Marie Haku.
    And consumers are also getting mixed messages from media.
    Companies that pulled TV ads after the calamity hit are now airing commercials again, but these are interspersed with public service messages urging people not to buy more than they need -- as well as to pull together to overcome the crisis.
    In Tokyo's nightlife Shimbashi area, bars that closed after the disaster hit are reopening, but full recovery will take time.
    As Japanese salarymen gather in the drinking bars in the area, many said they have hopes that Japan will be able to overcome the current crisis in one way or another.
    "The situation is bad now, but everyone thinks that we can make a comeback. That is what we believe, we can make a comeback," said 43-year-old electronics part company employee, Kunihiro Tochigi.
    In Tokyo, the capital's governor Shintaro Ishihara has also urged residents to refrain from the boisterous, and often drunken, cherry-blossom viewing parties traditional this time of year, but local media reported cabinet minister Renho told reporters that official efforts to restrict social activities should be kept to a minimum.
    Major firms are going ahead with traditional entrance ceremonies for new hires and Tokyo elementary, middle and high schools will start the new academic year next week as scheduled, but many universities are delaying the start of classes.
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