Many households in Japan are expected to see their utility bills go down in February and March thanks to a government economic measure that kicked in this month. But higher bills are likely later this year.

The government will grant subsidies of 7 yen per kilowatt-hour to household subscribers starting in January. The aim is to ease the burden caused by surging energy prices.

The subsidies will start appearing on energy bills in February. An average household is expected to see its bill drop by up to 1,800 yen, or about 13 dollars, from the month before.

Japan's 10 major utilities said on Friday that March bills should cost an average household about the same as in February.
Average households serviced by Tokyo Electric Power Company and Chubu Electric will pay about 56 dollars, while those supplied by Hokuriku Electric will pay about 36 dollars.

But electric power companies are planning rate hikes down the road.

Five power companies -- Tohoku, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku and Okinawa -- have applied for government approval for rate hikes in April.

Tokyo and Hokkaido electric power companies have followed suit, seeking approval for hikes in June.