新あらたなガソリン補助ほじょ措置そち22日にちから まず小売こうり価格かかく5円えん値下ねさがりへ

To curb gasoline prices, the governments new fixed-rate subsidy measure started on the 22nd.

First, subsidies will be provided so that the national average retail price drops by 5 yen, and the amount of the subsidy will be gradually increased until it reaches 10 yen.

The governments subsidy for gasoline prices began three years ago, and since the beginning of this year, subsidies have been provided to oil wholesalers to keep the price of regular gasoline at around 185 yen per liter. However, in response to continued high prices, the system was revised on the 22nd to provide a fixed-amount subsidy.

Under the new measures, starting from the 22nd for one week, subsidies will be paid to oil wholesalers so that the national average retail price will decrease by 5 yen per liter compared to the previous week.

After that, the subsidy amount will increase so that the price drop widens by 1 yen each week, and it is expected to expand to the maximum of 10 yen by mid-June.

However, since gas stations have inventory from before the price reduction, it is expected that it will take some time for the subsidy’s effect to be reflected in retail prices.

In addition to gasoline, diesel will also be subsidized up to 10 yen per liter in stages, while heavy oil and kerosene will each be subsidized 5 yen, and aviation fuel will be subsidized 4 yen.

The timing for the termination of these measures has not been decided at this time.

More than 8.17 trillion yen has been allocated so far for subsidies to fuel prices such as gasoline, and the question continues to be how to balance consideration for people’s livelihoods with fiscal discipline.