High Energy Costs Cause Problems for Japanese Public Bathhouses
Introduction
Japanese public bathhouses are called sento. They have big problems now. The cost of oil for heating is going up. Also, there is not enough oil. This is because of problems in the Middle East. Many bathhouses already had problems before. Fewer people come to them. The owners are old and have no one to take over.
Main Body
The number of bathhouses is going down. The Japan National Sento Association says there are now only about one-twelfth of the bathhouses from 60 years ago. Owners have fewer customers. They cannot find new owners. Also, the government says they cannot raise prices. So when oil costs go up, the bathhouses lose money. The energy crisis makes things worse. At Ikesu Onsen in Aichi, the bathhouse opened one hour later in March. The oil delivery was cut in half. They lost about ten customers each day. Atsuko Matsui, who works there, says the supplier decides the price and amount. The bathhouse has no choice. In Aomori, Katsuragi Onsen will close at the end of May. The owner, Masayoshi Yamaguchi, says oil prices go up every week. They cannot keep the old building working. Even with enough customers, they cannot continue. The oil supply problem comes from the Middle East crisis. The text says US and Israeli attacks on Iran caused this. Tankers cannot pass through the Strait of Hormuz easily. Oil prices go up. About 30% of bathhouses use oil boilers. So they feel the problem directly. They cannot change their business easily.
Conclusion
Because of these problems, bathhouse owners are reducing hours or closing forever. If oil supply does not become stable or if they cannot change prices, many public bathhouses may close.