Shikoku Electric Power Company and Okinawa Power Electric Company announced on Monday that they applied for government approval to increase their regulated electricity rates for households starting next April, citing soaring fuel prices.

Shikoku Electric Power Company applied for government approval to increase its regulated electricity rate for households by an average 28.08 percent.

This is the first time since 2013, when the March 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima caused the company's business to deteriorate.

Okinawa Electric Power Company also announced it applied for government approval to increase its regulated electricity rate for households by an average 39.3 percent.

They have not increased their regulated electricity rate for households since 1980.

Okinawa Electric says they heavily rely on thermal power to generate electricity. And they added the surging price of coal made them to decide to ask for the large increase.

Tohoku Electric Power Company last Thursday sought permission to raise its regulated rate by an average 32.94 percent, starting next April.

Electric power companies in Hokuriku and Chugoku have also announced plans to raise their regulated rates and they are expected to seek state approval shortly.