Overview
- The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported the Dec. 15 national average at ¥159.7 per liter, down ¥4 from the prior week and published on Dec. 17.
- This marks a sixth consecutive weekly decline and the lowest level in roughly four years and three months.
- The government increased per‑liter subsidies to oil wholesalers on Dec. 11 by ¥5.10 to ¥25.10, which has flowed through to pump prices.
- Retail prices fell across all prefectures, reflecting broad pass‑through of the additional support.
- The provisional gasoline tax will be abolished on Dec. 31 and the subsidy ends the same day, with reports indicating little immediate change likely if crude prices stay stable.