Decided to independently start support for electricity and gas bills for residents. This measure comes in response to rising energy prices due to worsening Middle East situation, and is believed to be the first such subsidy by a local government nationwide. A proposal worth approximately 1.2 billion yen will be submitted to an extraordinary session of the ward assembly on the 27th, with payments expected to begin in June.
The support period will be four months from June to September, with a monthly payment of 1,000 yen per household, without income or other restrictions. To deliver aid quickly, residents can apply using a communication app. By entering a PIN issued by the ward at a convenience store ATM, applicants can receive the payment on the same day as applying. Paper applications will also be accepted concurrently.
Regarding the rise in electricity and gas bills due to the Middle East situation, the Prime Minister also stated on the 18th that support would be provided from July to September “to keep costs below last summer’s levels.” The government is preparing to allocate funds from reserves.
Based on estimates from private think tanks, the ward predicts that electricity and gas bills will rise by about 1,000 yen per month for an average household starting in June. With temperatures in May continuing to exceed the seasonal average, the ward decided it was necessary to launch early support without waiting for the government’s response, in order to prevent health damage from refraining from using air conditioning.
