TOKYO • Tap water consumption in Tokyo's 23 wards fluctuated dramatically when Japan's World Cup match against Colombia was held in Russia last Tuesday night.

A sharp increase was seen during half-time and again after the match, an indication of the close attention paid to their opening game in the tournament's group stage.

According to data on tap water use released by the Tokyo metropolitan government, the amount decreased sharply immediately after the start of the match.

But it rose by 24 per cent in the seven minutes from 9.47pm, when the first half ended, greatly exceeding the average consumption for that time of day. This was the peak of consumption during the match.

The amount decreased again from immediately before the start of the second half, and it stood nearly 30 per cent lower than the average at the end of the game, in which Japan defeated Colombia 2-1.

However, after that, usage suddenly jumped sharply, by nearly 50 per cent.

This was apparently because many people used bathrooms and other water equipment at half-time and after the game.

As similar occurrences take place during other international sporting events, including the Olympic Games, the Tokyo metropolitan government's waterworks bureau said it takes such measures as adjusting water pressure to avoid a situation in which water does not flow smoothly from taps because of the fluctuations.

A bureau official in charge said: "We'll be prepared not to cause inconvenience also during Japan's next matches, including the one against Senegal."

The match against the African nation was played yesterday.

WASHINGTON POST