Japan imposes energy limits amid power crunch

Japan's government has begun imposing energy restrictions on companies, shopping malls and other major electricity users to cope with power shortages following the country's nuclear crisis. Starting Friday, big factories, office buildings, universities and department stores in the Tokyo area must use 15 per cent less electricity than a year ago. Trade ministry official Satoshi Koyanagi says violators face fines of up to 1 million yen ($124,000). The restriction is in effect from 9am to 8pm on weekdays from July 1 to September 22. Electricity is in short supply due to the loss of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which was crippled by a massive March 11 earthquake and tsunami.