Akita: After the nuclear power plant disaster, the government asked the citizens to conserve electricity drastically. Without collaborative efforts of every single person, East Japan could have run out of electricity during the peak heat of summer when people ran AC's day and night. However, the government's worry was unnecessary. The people readily responded. They turned on AC's only when absolutely needed. Imagine sauna-like conditions in public buildings and transportation, but complaining would be a shame in comparison to the hardship that the victims of the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami were trying to overcome.
More than 7 months after the triple catastrophe, the efforts were still in effect even though the threat of energy shortage had far passed. The local food store in the photo was dimly lit. The hand drier in the bathroom was turned off with a sign of apology for the inconvenience. A banner on the entrance said, "East Japan, Let's Make Collective Efforts for the Same Purpose!"