They have a 100v grid but the frequencies are split between 50Hz & 60Hz meaning depending on which part you live in, it may operate in 50Hz while the other is 60Hz despite the whole country having 100v as their main voltage. For some reason, they can’t decide on what to stick with since most countries choose one or the other.
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The voltage and frequency are independent of each other.
A quick web search revealed this in the first result: https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2025/02/japan-50hz-60hz.html
This division originates from the 1880s, when Tokyo imported 50 Hz generators from Germany, while Osaka chose 60 Hz equipment from the United States.
Eastern Japan operates at 50 Hz, while Western Japan operates at 60 Hz. This division originates from the 1880s, when Tokyo imported 50 Hz generators from Germany, while Osaka chose 60 Hz equipment from the United States.
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Standardizing the frequency nationwide would have required replacing a vast amount of existing infrastructure, which was deemed impractical and costly.
Fun fact: the two grids share power over a back to back HVDC system, so they’re technically one big weird grid.
