Continuing Rain Casting Damper on Summer Business in Tokyo

Tokyo, Aug. 16 (Jiji Press)--Continuing rain and low temperatures are casting a damper on the summer business of leisure facilities and retailers in Tokyo. Expectations for a hot summer are rapidly shrinking, with many outdoor pool and beer garden operators struggling with low visitor numbers and some voicing concerns about farm crops. The number of visitors to the outdoor pools of the Toshimaen amusement park in Nerima Ward was down some 30 pct from a year earlier at 31,500 between Friday and Tuesday, a part of Japan's Bon summer holiday season, when visitors peak in normal years. Tokyo Summerland in Akiruno, western Tokyo, saw its number of pool visitors fall 29 pct between Aug. 1 and Tuesday from a year before. The Matsuya Ginza department store in Chuo Ward opened a covered beer garden at its roof terrace this year, but sales have been only some 70 pct of its target so far in August. Light rain and cool weather lowered the temperature for drinking parties even with the canopy, a store official said. Some have started to voice concerns about the possible impact on agricultural products of the lack of sunshine. The most recent wholesale prices of eggplants, tomatoes and bell peppers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market were some 20 pct to 30 pct higher than in an average year. "I'm not sure how much impact the continuing rain has on crops, but shipment volume may decline and prices may increase," an agriculture ministry official said. A supermarket chain based in the Tokyo metropolitan area saw its sales of ice cream drop 7 pct from a year earlier and those of cold noodles fall 10 pct to 20 pct in the first half of August. "I'm worried about a possible increase in vegetable prices in the second half of the month," a chain official said. The bad weather has boosted demand for some products. Consumer electronics retailer Bic Camera Inc. 3048 is selling 50 pct more dehumidifiers and 30 pct more futon dryers in August than a year before. Supermarket operators Ito-Yokado Co. and Aeon Retail Co. are enjoying strong starts for autumn clothing sales, while major convenience store operators saw increased sales of hot coffee. 3382 8267Copyright JIJI PRESS LTD.