In the Tokyo crude oil market, crude oil futures prices have risen to pre-infection levels due to expectations for economic recovery due to the spread of the new coronavirus vaccine.
Gasoline prices have risen along with this, and experts say that the impact on the economy needs to be carefully monitored.
In the Tokyo crude oil market, crude oil futures prices have continued to rise since November last year, and the price of August, which is the center of transactions, rose to 44,700 yen per kiloliter on the 8th of this month.
Since then, transactions have continued in the 40,000 yen range, which is the first level in a year and two months since January last year, before the spread of the new coronavirus infection worldwide.
In the background, in addition to expectations for economic recovery due to the spread of the new coronavirus vaccine, major oil-producing countries have forgotten a large-scale increase in production, and international crude oil prices are rising.
Along with this, the gasoline price has also risen, and as of the 15th of this month, the national average retail price of regular gasoline was 147.3 yen per liter, rising for 16 consecutive weeks.
Mr. Tatsufumi Ogoshi, senior economist at Nomura Securities, said, "If crude oil prices continue to rise, they will be reflected in transportation costs such as home delivery. I will.