From a Japanese information sheet:
Foreign countries generally employ electric current with higher amperage and voltage than Japan. Plugs and electrical sockets sometimes also differ in physical format. Because all electrical products sold in Japan must conform to requirements of the Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law, appliances must be modified to work with 100V current and have plugs that fit in standard Japanese wall sockets. Recently 200V current has become available in some parts of Japan, and sales of 200V dish washing machines, electric cookers and heating and cooling equipment have been increasing.
Made me curious: Does it mean that are changing to a 200V only service or simply that they now get two 100V legs = 200V?
Does anyone know anything about the Japanese system? (Apart from the basic 100V, 50/60Hz thing)
