Energy Costs Soar Amid Middle East Conflict, Japanese Public Baths Wither Further

Spiking energy costs due to crude oil supply disruptions in the Middle East are placing Japan's public bath industry in dire straits. This pressure threatens to further wither the already declining traditional baths, forcing some operators to shorten hours or close permanently. Sento are facing a double whammy of decreasing customers and an aging workforce, now exacerbated by the oil price surge.

Since late March, 'Ikesu Onsen' in Aichi Prefecture has seen its monthly fuel delivery halved, forcing it to delay opening by an hour. In Aomori, 'Katsuragi Onsen' has decided to close by late May as fuel hikes added to maintenance burdens for its aging facilities. Owner Masayoshi Yamaguchi lamented, 'Fuel prices rise every week with no sign of stability. We simply cannot maintain operations.'

According to national statistics, about 30% of Sento use oil boilers. The total number of baths in Japan has dwindled to about 1/12th of its peak 60 years ago. Prefectural governors set fee ceilings based on post-WWII anti-inflation measures, leaving operators almost no room to adjust prices themselves.