By Chuck Chiang, Vancouver Sun Columnist
October 14, 2014 11:08 AM
Sweating in Tokyo: Shutting off air conditioning not a solution for power needs of a heavily industrialized country that lost a third of its generating capacity when nuclear turned off.
TOKYO — The energy reality in Japan today tends to smack you in the face as soon as you get there – or, more accurately, drip down your face.
Tokyo can be surprisingly warm in late September – highs during my recent visit reached 27 C, with humidity to match.
In most Asian cities, this would warrant a full-scale air-conditioning assault. In Hong Kong, for example, citizens respond with a barrage of air conditioning in offices and malls that creates indoor temperatures close to that of a meat cooler. Outdoors, the heat and humidity induces heavy sweating within minutes; indoors you want to don a sweater.
