Hokuriku Gas began starting gas meter reading operations at 6:30 a.m. on July 22 to reduce heatstroke risks for its employees [1].

This operational shift reflects the increasing danger of extreme summer heat for outdoor laborers in Niigata Prefecture. By completing a significant portion of the workload before the peak intensity of the midday sun, the company aims to ensure worker safety and maintain business continuity [1].

The new schedule represents a shift from the previous start time of approximately 8 a.m. [1]. This adjusted window will remain in effect until the end of September 2026 [1].

Such measures are becoming more common across Japan as utilities grapple with rising temperatures. For comparison, Tokyo Gas has utilized an early start time of approximately 7 a.m. since 2022 [1]. The scale of these operations is significant, with Tokyo Gas meter readers handling approximately 500 cases per day [1]. These workers typically spend about six hours on the road to complete their daily assignments [1].

Hokuriku Gas implemented the change to mitigate the physical toll on staff who must navigate residential areas on foot. The decision to move the start time forward by 90 minutes allows the company to leverage the cooler early morning air, a critical adjustment during the height of the summer season [1].

“Hokuriku Gas began starting gas meter reading operations at 6:30 a.m. on July 22”

The adoption of 'early-bird' shifts by regional utilities like Hokuriku Gas signals a broader systemic adaptation to climate change in Japan. As heatwaves become more severe, the traditional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday is becoming physically hazardous for outdoor essential services, forcing a restructuring of labor hours to prioritize biological safety over conventional business schedules.