Electrification.

During the planning of houses,
Structure is important. So is infrastructure.

Q:
What are the 3 important infrastructures?
A:

1. Water supply and drainage.
2. Electricity.
3. City Gas*.

* This is not popular in the Philippines.
People "buy" Gas Tanks at Gas Station,
and bring it to the kitchen.

* City Gas usually means Liquefied Natural Gas.

This "Gas" is traditionally important factor in Japan.
Not only for the fire supply,
but also for "Hot Water" supply.
(Heating System, too.)
Those are essential during winter.

Japanese take "bath" in hot water.
(about 40-43 degrees Celsius)
and few LITERS of water is needed to fill the bathtub.

...

Did you notice that water can be heated using electricity, too?

And did you know that to heat using electricity is more Ecological and Economical?
it consumes less energy,
it produces no Carbon Dioxide,
and it is cheaper.

Moreover,
"IH Cooker" is attracting the attention of people.
It enables to cook without "Fire", to say nothing of a "Gas".

To cut the long story short:
Gas is not necessity.

The mode is "All-Electrified" house.
the house which doesn't use Gas.
It is extensively advertised by electric power companies.

And this time,
they are facing the apprehension of violation of Anti-monopoly Law.

"The electric power companies are in stronger position than the gas companies in competition, and it is necessary to correct the abuses." by Fair Trade Commission

They're doing their business.

But I'm not sure if their business is right.

It must be customer's choice, if they're gonna choose "Traditional" house or "All-Electrified" house.
Even if all the customers chose "All-Electrified" house,
it must be the taste of the times,
and I think Fair Trade Commission have no right to say anything about it.

Just like when cars usurped the position of horse-drawn carriages...

The "Good old days" is gone.
Don't be left behind the times.
Time flies.