Measures related to Electricity Fees and Other Special Measures for Victims of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake

Our profound sympathies are with the victims of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake at this time.

Given the massive devastation wrought by this earthquake, in response to the requests of customers we have decided to put special measures in place for the victims of this disaster in relation to electricity fees and other matters when they establish new electricity supply contracts. We submitted the necessary applications to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry today, and have received approval.

1.  Details of special measures

(1) Extension of due date and deadline for payment of electricity fees

When victims of the earthquake establish new electricity supply contracts, late payment fees will be waived for bills covering electricity use in March, April and May, 2011 when the due date for payment*1 has been exceeded.

In addition, deadlines for payment*2 will be extended by three months for bills covering electricity use in March, 2011, two months for bills covering electricity use in April, 2011, and one month for bills covering electricity use in May, 2011.

*1  The due date for payment is 20 days following the day the meter is read. If the fee is paid after this period, a late payment fee of 3% is charged on the following month's bill.

*2  In the case of metered supply, the obligation to pay comes into effect on the day the meter is read, and the deadline for payment is 50 days from the day following the day the meter is read.

(2) Exemption from fees for termination of contract or reduction of contracted amount*3

If, as a result of the earthquake, customers terminate their power supply contract or reduce the contracted supply before a year has elapsed following the construction of new facilities, they will not be required to pay extra fees and construction costs.

*3 Fees for termination of contract or reduction of contracted amount refers to the extra fees and construction costs charged when a customer terminates their contract or reduces the contracted amount of supply during a normal one-year electricity supply contract period.

2. Other

These measures are considered to represent "supply conditions other than those set out in general supply provisions," based on the proviso contained in Article 21, Item (1) of the Electricity Business Act.

The special measures described in 1(2) are considered to represent "supply conditions other than those set out in the Wheeling Service provisions," based on the proviso contained in Article 24-3, Item (2) of the Electricity Business Act.