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2026-04-01
Energy Subsidy Ends
Energy subsidy ended with March 2026 usage. ¥3,000+/month increase from April. Renewable surcharge hits record ¥3.98/kWh.
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2026-05-01Daily life
⚡ Renewable Energy Surcharge Breaks 4 Yen! Bills Rise Again
3.98→4.18 yen/kWh — ~52 yen/month more for 260kWh usage
¥4.18
New rate/kWh
+¥52
Monthly rise
260kWh
Std. usage
2024~
Rising since
❓ What's changing?
From the May 2026 meter reading, the Renewable Energy Surcharge rises from ¥3.98 to ¥4.18/kWh. A standard household (260kWh/month) pays about ¥52 more per month. This surcharge funds the Feed-in Tariff system where power companies buy solar, wind, and other renewable energy at fixed prices — costs shared by all electricity users. It has been rising continuously since 2024.
👥 Who's most affected
- ●All residents using electricity (including foreigners)
- ●Both single and family households affected
- ●Heavy AC/heating users see bigger impact
- ●All-electric homes especially affected
📊 Electricity bill breakdown
Your bill consists of "Basic charge" + "Usage charge" + "Renewable Energy Surcharge" + "Fuel cost adjustment." The surcharge increases with usage, so energy conservation directly reduces your burden. At 260kWh/month, the surcharge alone is ¥1,087.
🔋 Saving tips
⚡Adjusting AC/heating by just 1 degree saves ~10% electricity
🔌Compare electricity providers on comparison sites (enechange, etc.)
☀️Self-consumed solar panel electricity is exempt from the surcharge
💡Switch to LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances for long-term savings
💡 Key points to know
1Surcharge rises to ¥4.18/kWh (~¥52/month increase)
2Using less electricity directly reduces surcharge costs
3Switching providers may lower base charges
4Self-generated solar power is exempt from the surcharge
🔗 Related Issues
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2026-04-01
April 2026 Price Hikes Summary
April 2026: electricity (+¥450/month), gas (+¥170/month), 200+ food items, and social insurance all going up simultaneously.
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2026-04-01
Mobile Contract ID Verification → My Number Card Only
Effective April 1, 2026. Online mobile contract ID verification is unified under Public Personal Authentication (JPKI) via My Number Card. Those without one must sign up in person.