Electricity is not free in Japan; consumers must pay for all electrical power consumed based on meter readings provided by regional utility companies. The total monthly electricity bill typically consists of a fixed basic service fee determined by the contracted amperage capacity of the home, alongside a variable usage fee that scales with the amount of kilowatt-hours consumed. Following the deregulation of Japan's retail electricity market, consumers have the freedom to choose from a variety of private power providers and pricing plans, sometimes bundling their electricity and gas accounts together for promotional discounts. Households must actively manage their energy usage and pay monthly utility invoices to avoid service suspension.