Gasoline cost in Japan


I don't own a car, so I usually don't pay attention to the cost of gasoline. But with the intense debate about climate change this spring here in Japan, and the Iraq war not going very well at all, gasoline cost is a major issue that affects everyone. Also, there is the serious issue of "peak oil" - the fact that fossile fuels are getting less economical to pump up from oil fields around the world. Guys, we are running out of cheap oil. A global decline in oil production will have serious social and economic implications...

Today, in Japan, gas costs about 130-140 yen per liter. That is around $4.50 a gallon. Compared to Northern Europe, that is a bit less: The Netherlands appears to have the highest cost due to taxes at $6.73 a gallon at the pump. The US average is $3.20 a gallon (Note that US taxes on gasoline have gone down from 32% to 14% since 2000 - who is paying for the war in Iraq?).

I laughed out loud when I saw the sign at the Jomo gas station (photo). A lesson in how to confuse consumers. 142 yen? 132? Why do they have two different signs, with the same information, only reversed. 142 yen is the cost for high octane gas, while 132 yen is what you pay for regular. Clever, but also really a sign of the times. Gasoline companies are doing everything they can to make a profit, including obfuscation.

Comments

Pandabonium said…
I've also noticed that new stations in this area are all "self-serve". The rising prices have pinched the profit margins of distributors and retailers, so they are looking for ways to cut costs.


There is an film by ABC Science (Australia) - in three 30 minute segments - about the origins of oil, peak production, and climate change available to watch at: http://www.abc.net.au/science/crude/

Excellent for people unfamiliar with these issues.
7:09 am, May 30, 2007
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