Average household electricity bills will rise by between ?16 ($0.10) to ?49 in the service areas of nine of Japan¡¯s 10 regional power utilities for February, according to their announcements Thursday.
The increases reflect the rising cost of liquefied natural gas for thermal plants, as well as reduced government subsidies.
The nine include Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which will raise the average household bill by ?33 to ?7,497, and Chubu Electric Power, which will increase the average household bill by ?49 to ?7,159.
Kansai Electric Power is the only utility not to raise its bills.
In February, the four major city gas providers will also raise their charges, by ?25-32. Tokyo Gas will increase the average household bill by ?32 to ?5,138. Osaka Gas will implement a similar increase.
In March, electricity and gas bills are expected to rise further due to cuts in subsidies.
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