The national average retail price of regular gasoline this week was 146.1 yen per liter, the 15th consecutive week of increase.
Crude oil prices have risen due to expectations for a recovery in the global economy due to the spread of vaccines, and this is the highest level in a year.
According to the Petroleum Information Center, which is entrusted by the government to investigate gasoline prices, the retail price of regular gasoline as of the 8th was 146.1 yen per liter on a national average.
It was 1.5 yen higher than the previous week, rising for 15 consecutive weeks, the highest level in about a year since March last year.
The retail price of regular gasoline fell to the 120 yen level in April last year due to the drop in crude oil prices due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, and has remained at a low level since then.
However, crude oil prices have started to rise due to the cooperation of oil-producing countries and expectations for a recovery in the world economy due to the spread of vaccines, and gasoline prices have continued to rise accordingly.
Regarding the outlook for the future, the Oil Information Center said, "Crude oil prices continue to rise as oil-producing countries decide to keep crude oil production at almost the current level next month, and gasoline prices will rise again next week. Isn't it? "