The depreciation of the yen and high prices cast a shadow over many aspects of our lives.

Some universities in Tokyo are beginning to affect the learning environment of their students.

University electricity bill nearly doubled

The campus of Tokyo Denki University, located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo, where about 7,000 students attend, has seen its electricity bills rise to about 320 million yen this year, double the usual year, due to the rise in electricity bills due to factors such as the weaker yen. It is expected to increase in the near future.

Overseas specialized magazine purchase cancellation

In addition, the price of specialized journals ordered from overseas every month for research has risen by tens of thousands of yen per issue due to the impact of the weaker yen.



For this reason, we are currently considering canceling purchases of eight specialized magazines, and if the yen continues to depreciate in the future, we may expand the scope further.

The thesis writing classroom is dark

In order to save electricity costs as much as possible, the university closes seven classrooms equipped with computers that students use to write papers, etc., except when classes are in session.



In addition, it has taken measures such as stopping the use of two of the ten escalators, and reducing the electricity in the corridor by about one-third to two-thirds.

General Manager Sato

Ryu Sato, head of general affairs at Tokyo Denki University, said, "The equipment in our laboratories and the computers used by students use a lot of electricity at the university, so we ask students and faculty to try to conserve electricity. As the yen continues to depreciate, I think it's inevitable that there will be an impact, but I have no choice but to do my best to stop the impact."

Electricity bills surge at facilities for the disabled

As electricity bills rise, facilities in Tokyo used by people with disabilities are faced with a difficult financial situation due to rising operating costs.



At a facility for people with disabilities in Fuchu City, Tokyo, which is used by about 60 people, the electricity bill for the six months until last month was 2.14 million yen, a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.

In order to save electricity, the lighting has been changed to LED and the brightness is set to be suppressed, and the heating temperature is limited to 22 degrees so as not to affect the physical condition of the user. is.



The facility has 13 wagons for pick-up and drop-off, but the gasoline cost in the six months until last month was 1.17 million yen, an increase of 18% compared to the same period last year.

Worried about maintaining wages for users

In addition, the facility sells bread made by users, but if the price of raw materials rises further, it will be necessary to consider raising the selling price in order to maintain the wages of users. We are worried about the future operation of the facility.

Facility manager “There is no choice but to control with personnel expenses”

Masashi Hojo, director of "Work Center Komutan", said, "Since we are keeping administrative costs to a minimum, we have no choice but to control personnel costs, such as reducing staff salaries or not filling vacancies. I think the management of facilities for persons with disabilities is getting tough everywhere."