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Tokyo Waives Water Fees to Combat Deadly Summer Heat

  • #Climate change
  • #Environment
  • #Japan
Tokyo Waives Water Fees to Combat Deadly Summer Heat
story
MAY 21
Above: A man walks under an overhead water misting system on a hot day in the Ginza district of Tokyo on July 2, 2024. Image copyright: Philip Fong/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
story last updated MAY 21

The Spin

Pro-government narrative

This is a proactive and innovative approach to public health protection. By removing financial barriers to utility usage, the program directly addresses the deadly impact of extreme heat on vulnerable populations. The initiative shows how local governments can effectively respond to climate-related challenges while providing immediate economic relief to residents.

The Japan TimesKyodo News+

Government-critical narrative

The temporary water fee waiver is a stopgap measure that fails to address the root causes of heat-related deaths, including inadequate housing infrastructure and rising energy costs. The program's significant cost of 36.8 billion yen could be better invested in long-term solutions, such as improving building energy efficiency or expanding cooling centers for vulnerable populations.

SpringerLinkSciencedirect

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