Power Outages Hit Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Listen to the story
A large power outage has affected several cities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, according to Tokyo Electric Power Grid.
The outage was first reported in Tsukuba city. Soon after, reports came in from Mito and Shirosato, where about 330 homes lost electricity.
In the city of Hitachi, around 860 households were also affected. This means over 1,000 homes in the region lost power in total.
The information was released early in the morning, at around 1:00 a.m., by Rescue Now News, a Japanese emergency news service.
No official reason has been given yet for the outages. It is not known if the problem was caused by equipment failure or another issue.
Power companies usually send workers to check the electrical lines and fix any broken parts. This can take time, especially at night.
Blackouts like this can affect daily life quickly. Without electricity, people may lose heating, lighting, and internet access.
Local news outlets, including Ibaraki Shimbun Cross Eye, have been following the story and giving updates on the number of affected homes.
It is unclear how long it will take for power to be fully restored across the prefecture.
Vocabulary6 words
- power outage
- a time when electricity stops working
- Ibaraki Prefecture
- an area of Japan, similar to a state
- electricity
- energy used for light, heat, and machines
- Rescue Now News
- a Japanese news service that reports emergencies
- blackout
- a period without electricity
- restored
- brought back to normal
Quiz
Answer key
1. Tokyo Electric Power Grid 2. Over 1,000 3. No, no cause was given
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A large _____ has affected several cities in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, according to Tokyo Electric Power Grid.
The outage was first reported in _____ city. Soon after, reports came in from Mito and Shirosato, where about 330 homes lost electricity.
In the city of _____, around 860 households were also affected. This means over 1,000 homes in the region lost power in total.
The information was released early in the morning, at around _____ a.m., by Rescue Now News.
No official _____ has been given yet for the outages.
Power companies usually send workers to check the electrical lines and fix any broken parts. This can take time, especially at _____.
_____ like this can affect daily life quickly. Without electricity, people may lose heating, lighting, and internet access.
It is unclear how long it will take for power to be fully _____ across the prefecture.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a power outage? What was it like?
- Why do you think it is important for news services to report outages quickly?
- What problems can happen if electricity is out for a long time?
- How do you think power companies decide which areas to fix first?