Businesses are displeased to say the least with Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s rate hike taking effect April 1, as it will put an extra burden on their operating costs, especially in those industries that use a large amount of power.
They also say Tepco should make more cost-cutting efforts before implementing the 17 percent average increase, with some large-lot users demanding that the hike be postponed and expressing their intention to refuse paying the added amount.
"Electricity accounts for about 30 percent of running cost for data centers, so if the fee is raised, it will directly impact operating costs," said Michio Ohara of Tokyo-based business group Japan Information Technology Services Industry Association.