Ideas for beating summer heat in Tokyo

Tokyo residents from overseas are devising ways to beat the sweltering summer heat while coping with post-March 11th electricity power-saving.

Foreign embassies are not required to restrict their use of electricity, but the Danish Embassy in Shibuya Ward keeps its air conditioning at 28 degrees Celsius and uses Japanese-style marsh-reed sunshades called yoshizu.

Also, staff members wear T-shirts and short pants on designated "Super Cool Fridays."

Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin cites a Danish proverb saying there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. He says Danish people are very aware of the energy issue, as individual power-saving efforts have been emphasized in the country.

At an Indian restaurant in Edogawa Ward, the air conditioning is set 3 degrees higher than usual.

The restaurant is offering salted lassi, an Indian yogurt drink, on its menu this summer. Owner Jagmohan Chandrani says it's a good way to replace salt lost in sweat on hot days.