Our hearts go out to the Japanese people. Recovering from any disaster can be overwhelming — and Japan clearly faces a difficult road to recovery. Not the least of that country’s troubles is the challenge of getting its electricity system back up to speed.

According to CNN, Tokyo Electric Power’s rolling blackouts continue to hinder Japan’s economy. And Bloomberg reports that as summer approaches, power shortages are likely — so Japanese policymakers may impose legal limits on electricity use to curb peak demand.

While this disaster may seem an odd context in which to raise the topic of smart meters, there’s a good reason: smart meters can be a crucial tool for helping a region recover from a natural disaster…

Power shortages are a common consequence of natural disasters. Historically, utilities have responded to this by implementing rolling blackouts.

The problem is: Rolling blackouts are a blunt instrument for emergency power rationing. In the affected area, everything loses utility power — including hospitals, fire departments, police stations, schools, and critical government offices. Even if these facilities have functioning backup generators on site, fuel typically is in short supply following a disaster.

Furthermore, all types of devices lose power in a rolling blackout area — including traffic lights, emergency lighting, medical equipment, and other essential devices.

Smart meters can replace this butcher’s axe with the surgeon’s scalpel. They allow utilities to leave the power on for critical uses, but temporarily turn it off elsewhere.

Now is not the time to debate the value of smart meters in Japan. Rather, now is the time to lend a hand; to provide food, water, and medicine; and to continue to repair, replace, and rebuild.

But as governments, utilities, and emergency response agencies prepare for inevitable future disasters, they should consider how smart meters and smart grids can help speed disaster recovery — and make the process of recovery a bit less difficult and dangerous for everyone.