Japan's Energy Saving Plans|日本限电大作战

by Marcus Maurice

Japan was forced to save energy this summer, but their idea just might be the blueprint for the future.

As of the beginning of July 2011, businesses in Japan had to start reporting their power usage to the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) four times per day. According to the mandate, all factories, office buildings, universities, and department stores had to cut their energy consumption _(1)_ 15 percent during peak hours on the weekdays. METI backed up this restriction by fining companies up to one million yen if they didn't comply. Citizens were also asked to help out by turning off energy-draining _(2)_. The reason for these energy rations arose from the loss of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which was shut down _(3)_ the terrible earthquake and tsunami that happened on March 11, 2011.

_(4)_ being fined, some companies started moving their early morning shifts an hour ahead to ease the burden of air conditioning in the afternoon. Other companies shut their air conditioning off at six o'clock in the evening. _(5)_, everyone would go home earlier. Offices asked their employees to bring their own cool drinks so that they could unplug the vending machines. Also, dress codes have changed as suits and long-sleeved shirts are being _(6)_ with polo shirts so that workers are more comfortable. Sales of fans have skyrocketed in Japan because the citizens are using less air conditioning to alleviate the stress on the energy grid. All of these steps are working, and many people believe that Japan should continue these measures to help _(7)_ global warming. Sometimes, the solution to one tragedy becomes the answer to another problem.

1.  (A) at  (B) for (C) by  (D) with

2.  (A) utensils    (B) appliances  (C) extensions  (D) occupations

3.  (A) at the cost of  (B) in regard to    (C) with a view to  (D) on account of

4.  (A) Avoided (B) To avoid    (C) On avoiding (D) Have avoided

5.  (A) That way    (B) For example (C) By no means (D) On the contrary

6.  (A) recovered   (B) recalled    (C) repaired    (D) replaced

7.  (A) drop by (B) put aside   (C) slow down   (D) take apart

日本限电大作战

日本今年夏天被迫节约能源，但他们实施的政策或许是未来节能的蓝图。

　　从 2011年 7 月起，日本的公司行号必须每天 4 次向经济产业省（METI）报告其用电量。根据这项命令，所有的工厂、办公大楼、大学和百货公司必须减少平日尖峰时刻百分之十五的用电量。如果公司不配合实施，经济产业省将对其罚款最高达 1 百万日币，藉此达到限电的效果。市民也被要求尽一份心力，关掉耗电量大的电器。由于 2011 年 3 月 11 号骇人的地震和海啸，造成福岛核电厂关闭，这项能源禁令也因应而生。

　　为了避免被罚款，有些公司开始把早班的上班时间提前 1 小时，减轻下午的空调负荷。有些公司则在晚上 6点就关闭空调系统。那样一来，每个人就会早点下班回家。公司要求员工自备冷饮，这样就不需插上自动贩卖机的电源。此外，服装规定也跟着改变，西装和长袖衬衫被马球衫取代，好让员工觉得比较舒适。在日本，电风扇的销量也大幅成长，因为市民减少空调的使用以减轻供电系统的负荷。这些措施都颇有成效，许多人相信日本应该继续实施这些方法来帮助减缓地球暖化的速度。有时候，一个悲剧衍生出来的解决之道成为解决另一个问题的答案。

答案：1. (C)2. (B)3. (D)4. (B)5. (A)

6. (D)7. (C)

日本限电的措施意外引发了前所未见的消费商机。上班族提早上下班、买节能家电、穿高机能排汗衣；顺应节约日光时间的大趋势，清晨 6 点和下午 4 点成新兴消费时段，热烈引爆『早鸟商机』。上班时间一改，休闲时间也跟着变，企业脑筋动得快，立即规划特殊时段的消费折扣策略吸金，全力鼓吹『早到早买早享受』。早起上班，电车地铁也配合提早到清晨 4 点发车。只不过，交通的尖峰也随着提前出现在 6点半。（数据源：天下杂志）