Tokyo heatwave sets heat records, sparks power cuts

Japan baked under scorching temperatures for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, as the capital broke nearly 150 year old records for June and authorities warned power supply remained tight enough to raise the spectre of cuts.

A record high of 36 C was predicted for Tokyo on Tuesday after three consecutive days of temperatures topping 35 C - the worst hot weather record since records began in 1875.

Many people in the capital continue to flout government advice by wearing face masks outdoors, a legacy of more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For a second day, authorities asked consumers to conserve electricity in the Tokyo area to avoid a power cut. The heatwave comes less than two weeks before a national election in which surging prices - including electricity -- are rated as the top concern for voters in opinion polls that show the approval rating of the government is slipping.

As of 9: 00 a.m. local time 0000 GMT 13 people had been taken to hospital with suspected heatstroke, Fuji News Network said. At least two people are believed to have died from heatstroke, prompting authorities to moderate their calls for power saving.

There are some elderly people who have turned off their air conditioners because they are asking people to save energy, but please don't hesitate to cool off, trade and industry minister Koichi Hagiuda told a news conference.

The government warned on Monday that reserve generating capacity could drop below 5% on Tuesday afternoon, close to the minimum of 3% that ensures stable supply in Tokyo and eight surrounding prefectures. Reserve capacity below 3% is a risk of power shortages and blackouts.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI, turned off some lights on Monday, with METI halting use of 25% of elevators in its building.

In a survey by Yahoo Japan, 21% of respondents said using air conditioners helped beat the heat, with staying hydrated in the top slot at 53%. Only 12% said they had stopped wearing face masks despite government guidelines saying they no longer need to be worn outside.

The prime minister Fumio Kishida's party is facing rising prices, worsened by the slide in the yen that makes imports more costly, and is expected to do well in the July 10 election for the upper house of parliament.

The Kishida cabinet's approval came to 50% in a voter survey conducted by NHK on June 24 -- 26, down from 55% last week.