Tokyo

An emergency plea has been issued by Japan on Tuesday for conservation of energy. It has been addressed to citizens, businesses and local authorities.   

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It has also warned of potential blackouts as a massive earthquake has idled several power plants and unseasonably cold weather has also boosted demand, said a Reuters report.  

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Tokyo is witnessing snowfall and a drop in the temperature to four degrees Celsius (39 Fahrenheit). Tokyo Electric Power Co said two to three million households could lose power after 8 pm (1100 GMT) with the current power usage rate.  

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Koichi Hagiuda, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), said, "At this rate, we are coming closer to a state where we will have to conduct power outages similar to those that took place after the quake (last week)."   

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At a news conference, the minister called for an additional 5% or so of power savings every hour from 3 to 8 pm, which is equivalent to about two million kilowatts per hour.  

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The electronics retailer Bic Camera has turned off about half of the TV sets at its over 30 stores in eastern Japan, the firm said.  

(With inputs from agencies)