Gasoline prices have been rising in Kochi Prefecture, and since August 1, many gas stations have increased prices even further. At some stations, the price of regular gasoline has exceeded 180 yen per liter, and customers are expressing concern about the impact on their lives.

(Report by Announcer Ryutaro Kyomen)
“Starting today, the price of regular gasoline at this gas station has exceeded 180 yen per liter. It looks like this will be another painful price hike for us.”

According to the Petroleum Information Center, which conducts surveys on oil prices, the average price of regular gasoline in the prefecture this week is 179.1 yen per liter, and since the first of August, prices have risen further at many gas stations.

At this gas station in Kitahonmachi, Kochi City, the price of regular gasoline increased by 3 yen from July 31st, and will be 182 yen per liter from August 1st.

According to stores and oil transport companies, a large number of customers rushed to refuel on July 31st, before the price increase, and many gasoline stations in Kochi City ran out of gas in their underground tanks, forcing them to use tanker trucks to refill the tanks.

When the price increase occurred on August 1st, some customers expressed concern about the impact it would have on their lives.

(Customer)
“It’s tough. Rising gasoline prices have an impact on both family and work.”
Q: What type of gasoline does the car use?
“It’s high octane gasoline… (laughs)”
Q. If it’s high octane, it’s even more…
“It’s tough, I really think so…”

(Customer)
“My car is big, so (the fuel tank is big) it hurts me more than usual. The higher (the price) goes, the more it hurts, so I wish the price hike would stop. (A car) is something you absolutely have to use, so if (gasoline prices) go up, it’s going to be tough. I can’t get by without (a car), so I’m in Kochi.”

The average price of regular gasoline in the prefecture has remained in the 179 yen range since late October 2023, but with this price increase, it will exceed 180 yen for the first time in approximately nine months.