"Don't Come to Japan": Electricity Bill Shock, Giving Up AC Amid 'Worst-Ever Heat'

There are significant differences in air conditioner usage culture between Korea and Japan. In Korea, due to the apartment-centered housing style, air conditioners are easy to install and widely used. In contrast, Japan often has traditional house structures like tatami rooms, leaving little space for large air conditioners. As a result, wall-mounted air conditioners are mainly used in Japan, which are less efficient than the larger units commonly used in Korea.

Japan is located at a lower latitude than Korea, resulting in a much hotter and more humid climate. While this climate necessitates greater cooling, effective air conditioning remains challenging due to various factors.

One of the main reasons for Japan's soaring electricity prices is the privatization of the electricity business. In a privatized market, electricity prices surge when supply is insufficient, according to the principles of supply and demand. Furthermore, the shutdown of many nuclear power plants after past earthquakes has disrupted power supply. Out of about 50 nuclear reactors in Japan, only about 15 are currently operating, and the increased use of more expensive LPG-fired alternative power generation to compensate for the shortage is fueling the rise in electricity prices.

Given Japan's frequent earthquakes, there are very strong concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants. With past experience of nuclear accidents caused by major earthquakes, there is a strong perception that another accident, however unlikely, would cause irreversible damage. As a result, the Japanese public is highly sensitive to the issue of restarting nuclear power plants, and opposing voices prioritizing safety are strong.

According to Dr. Lee Myung-chan's experience, operating an air conditioner in Korea during the summer results in an electricity bill of about 80,000 to 100,000 won per month. In Japan, however, similar levels of cooling are expected to cost over 300,000 won per month. Such high electricity costs pose a significant financial burden, especially for retirees living on pensions, who often forgo air conditioning, exposing them to the risk of heatstroke.

In Korea, the use of heat-insulating materials above a certain standard is legally mandated for buildings such as apartments, resulting in relatively high insulation performance in homes. However, Japan lacks regulations that legally enforce quantified insulation performance. This often means Japanese homes lack double-paned windows or heat-shielding devices, significantly reducing cooling efficiency and causing indoor temperatures to rise quickly. These differences in building standards further contribute to the burden of cooling costs for Japanese households.

During the Kumamoto earthquake, Korean companies provided bottled water and daily necessities to the affected areas. While some Japanese social media users reacted with derogatory comments about Korean-made relief supplies, sparking controversy, there was also a coexisting sentiment of gratitude for Korea's support within Japan.

Anti-Korean sentiment has not completely disappeared from Japanese society and still persists. In particular, some right-wing groups maintain a chronic anti-Korean narrative, even reproducing baseless rumors in the 21st century, such as the one from 100 years ago during the Great Kanto Earthquake that 'Koreans poisoned the wells.' Dr. Lee Myung-chan described Japan as being ignobly derogatory and fabricating everything about Korea.

As recently as 2019, the majority of the Japanese public tended to make derogatory remarks about Korea. However, thanks to the immense influence of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) over the past 5-6 years, public opinion has shifted, with many more now viewing Korea favorably. Hallyu content such as K-pop and dramas has gained widespread popularity among younger generations in Japan, leading to an overall positive change in their perception of Korea.

In the past, controversy arose over claims that Japan did not receive supplies provided by Korea during the Great East Japan Earthquake. Masato Muto, who was then the Japanese ambassador to Korea, was even interviewed, tearfully expressing gratitude for receiving Korean aid supplies. However, he later remained silent when questioned on television about not having received aid from others, leading to criticism from some YouTube channels regarding his stance.

Learning Hangeul has become a trend among young Japanese. Many Japanese say Hangeul is easy because it is much simpler to learn, requiring memorization of only a few consonants and vowels, compared to Japanese which uses hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Furthermore, increased consumption of Hallyu content like K-pop and dramas motivates Hangeul learning, and a generational shift in values, recognizing Korea as an advanced country, also influences this phenomenon.