Power usage in Japan dropped last year to the lowest level since 1998 as households and businesses conserved electricity amid a stagnant economy and shrinking population.
The country consumed 806.03 terawatt-hours of electricity from Japan¡¯s 10 regional power utilities, down 2.7 percent from 2014, according to data released Friday by the Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan.
The drop in demand by the world¡¯s third-biggest economy highlights the difficulties facing the nation¡¯s utilities. The total revenue of the country¡¯s top three power generators will probably fall 5.5 percent this fiscal year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The nation¡¯s declining population, along with the government¡¯s efforts to boost electricity efficiency, will continue to pressure balance sheets.
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