Latest news with #YurikoKoike
LeMonde
23-05-2025
- Climate
- LeMonde
Tokyo lowers water bills during summer to encourage residents to use air conditioning during heat waves
Concerned about reducing the number of deaths caused each summer by more intense heat waves, the Tokyo metropolitan government has decided to exempt residents of the Japanese capital from a portion of their water bills. "We will cover the fixed cost of water supply as an exceptional measure this summer," Governor Yuriko Koike announced on Tuesday, May 20. "We are worried that people are not using their air conditioners because they are concerned about the cost of living. We have considered what we could do to help them pay their bills." The variable part of the water bill – the amount consumed – is not included. Summers in Tokyo are hot and humid − even stifling. In August, average temperatures in the capital reach 34°C (93°F) with 78% humidity. The heat is made worse by the "urban heat island" effect caused by the construction of large buildings, an effect that the expansion of green spaces and rooftop gardens has not managed to offset. These large complexes restrict air circulation, especially the breezes that blow in from Tokyo Bay. At the same time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), because of global warming, temperatures recorded in June, July and August 2024 in Japan were 1.76 degrees higher than the average between 1991 and 2020.
Arab News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia seeing ‘significant changes' in women's advancement, says Tokyo governor
RIYADH: There have been 'significant changes' in women's advancement in Saudi Arabia compared to her previous visits to the Kingdom, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike said on Friday. Speaking at Fortune Magazine's Most Powerful Women International Summit in Riyadh, Koike said: 'Whatever the gender is, the Saudi Vision 2030 transformed the country and made it comfortable for everyone, including males, females, children and the handicapped.' The governor has visited Riyadh three times previously but expressed her appreciation that women 'can drive and travel alone now.' Koike is the first elected Tokyo governor and has been appointed three times so far. She told the Fortune panel that her priority was to make 'women's dreams come true.' She added that free childcare, including tuition and provision of school lunches, was also high on her agenda. Despite her focus on Tokyo, Koike said the agenda for women's advancement should be the same in all communities, from small villages to large cities. 'It's a common agenda we have to face whether for education, industry and for vitalizing the economy,' she said. After her election, Koike began organizing a network for female mayors and governors. 'When I first started the network with my colleague, we only had 39 female mayors and governors elected,' she said, adding that women should 'not wait' until they were elected or appointed to join: 'If you don't a buy lottery ticket, you will not win.' 'The world is so turbulent,' Koike said, adding that women should take on its challenges and achieve whatever they want. The theme of this year's conference is 'A New Era for Business: Partnering for Global Prosperity.' Other speakers included Nigeria's former minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli 'Oby' Ezekwesili, along with Prof. Hanan Abdulraheem Alahmadi, assistant speaker of The Shura Council of Saudi Arabia, and Farah Ismail, deputy minister of sectoral and regional development of the Saudi Ministry of Economy and Planning.
Malay Mail
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
‘It's on us': Tokyo waives water bills to help pensioners beat the heat and rising costs this summer
TOKYO, May 22 — Japan will waive basic water bills will for Tokyo residents this summer to combat the impact of extreme heat, the government said. Last summer was the joint hottest on record in Japan as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe. 'The basic fee will be waived for four months,' Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters Tuesday, adding that households would save an average of 5,000 yen (RM149). The government aims to reduce the inflation burden on households, and encourage the use of air conditioning to prevent heatstroke. 'We hope to create an environment where Tokyo residents can live safely even in the expected heatwaves,' Koike said. Every summer, Japanese officials urge the public, especially elderly people, to seek shelter in air-conditioned rooms to avoid heatstroke. Senior citizens made up more than 80 per cent of heat-related deaths in the past five years. Pensioners are harder hit by rising electricity bills, and some elderly Japanese believe that air conditioning is bad for health. The Tokyo government has budgeted 36.8 billion yen to cover around 8 million households — or a population of 14 million. Water costs above the basic fees will be charged as usual. — AFP
Gulf Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Tokyo to waive basic water bills to combat extreme heat
Japan will waive basic water bills will for Tokyo residents this summer to combat the impact of extreme heat, the government said. Last summer was the joint hottest on record in Japan as extreme heatwaves fuelled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe. 'The basic fee will be waived for four months,' Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters Tuesday, adding that households would save an average of 5,000 yen ($35). The government aims to reduce the inflation burden on households, and encourage the use of air conditioning to prevent heatstroke. 'We hope to create an environment where Tokyo residents can live safely even in the expected heatwaves,' Koike said. Every summer, Japanese officials urge the public, especially elderly people, to seek shelter in air-conditioned rooms to avoid heatstroke. Senior citizens made up more than 80 percent of heat-related deaths in the past five years. Pensioners are harder hit by rising electricity bills, and some elderly Japanese believe that air conditioning is bad for health. The Tokyo government has budgeted 36.8 billion yen to cover around 8 million households -- or a population of 14 million. Water costs above the basic fees will be charged as usual. In an unrelated development, Japan's agriculture minister was forced to resign on Wednesday because of political fallout over his recent comments that he 'never had to buy rice' because he got it from supporters as a gift. The resignation comes as the public struggles with record high prices of the country's traditional staple food. Taku Eto's comment, which many Japanese saw as out of touch with economic realities, came at a seminar Sunday for the Liberal Democratic Party, which leads a struggling minority government. The gaffe could be further trouble for the party before a national election in July. A major loss could mean a new government or could mean Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba would have to step down. 'I made an extremely inappropriate remark at a time when consumers are struggling with soaring rice prices,' Eto told reporters after submitting his resignation at the prime minister's office. Agencies
See - Sada Elbalad
21-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Japan Waives Basic Water Charges for Tokyo Residents to Combat Severe Heat
Taarek Refaat The Japanese government announced that it will waive basic water charges for Tokyo residents during the summer, as part of its efforts to combat the impact of severe heat waves. Last summer was one of the hottest in Japan's history, with severe heat waves sweeping across many regions of the world due to climate change. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike told reporters on Tuesday that basic charges will be waived for four months, adding that the average savings per household will be about 5,000 yen (equivalent to $35). Koike added, "We hope to create an environment where Tokyo residents can live safely even in the face of expected heat waves." This measure aims to ease the burden of inflation on households and encourage the use of air conditioning to reduce the incidence of heatstroke. Heatstroke Warnings Every summer, Japanese authorities urge people—especially the elderly—to stay in air-conditioned spaces to avoid heatstroke. The elderly accounted for more than 80 percent of heat-related deaths over the past five years. They are severely affected by high electricity bills, and some still believe that air conditioning is harmful to their health. The Tokyo government has allocated a budget of 36.8 billion yen to cover approximately 8 million households, or 14 million people. read more CBE: Deposits in Local Currency Hit EGP 5.25 Trillion Morocco Plans to Spend $1 Billion to Mitigate Drought Effect Gov't Approves Final Version of State Ownership Policy Document Egypt's Economy Expected to Grow 5% by the end of 2022/23- Minister Qatar Agrees to Supply Germany with LNG for 15 Years Business Oil Prices Descend amid Anticipation of Additional US Strategic Petroleum Reserves Business Suez Canal Records $704 Million, Historically Highest Monthly Revenue Business Egypt's Stock Exchange Earns EGP 4.9 Billion on Tuesday Business Wheat delivery season commences on April 15 News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
