JAPANI HAPO ZIPO 10
Ten Electric Power Companies as Responsible Suppliers of Electricity
Currently, the ten privately-owned electric power companies are in charge of regional power supply services as General Electricity companies and are responsible for supplying electricity from power generation to distribution to the consumers in their respective service area. General Electricity companies must obtain approval from the Japanese Government by providing supply conditions such as electricity rates as general supply provisions to those consumers who are excluded from the retail liberalization. They are also responsible for supplying electricity to consumers subject to retail liberalization, based on the provisions for last resort service, if they cannot conclude contracts with power producers and suppliers (PPSs).
The electric power companies work closely with each other to enhance the stability of electricity supply to customers nationwide. For example, they exchange or provide electricity via extra-high voltage transmission lines linking the entire country from north to south, in order to cope with emergency situations resulting from accidents, breakdowns, or summer peak demand.