[Survey of 2,930 People Nationwide] About 90% Feel "Burdened by Gasoline Costs"
Kauchef Inc. conducted a survey on gasoline costs and living. Results showed 91.9% feel burdened, and 77.5% predict further price increases. Consumers are adapting by driving less and buying in bulk, highlighting the impact on household budgets.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 00:07
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 04:53 (441h 16m after Collected)
Kauchef Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) conducted an "Awareness Survey on Gasoline Costs and Living" targeting 2,930 individuals.
91.9% feel a "burden" regarding current gasoline costs
77.5% predict that "prices will rise further in the future"
78.5% realize that gasoline costs have "increased" compared to a year ago
The top behavioral change is "reduced going out by car" (40%), followed by "switched to bulk buying" (28.8%)
14.3% answered that they "cut other expenses such as food and daily necessities." The ripple effect on household budgets becomes evident
"Still Expensive Even with Subsidies" 90% Feel the Burden, Over Half Answer "Feel Very Burdened"
Due to government subsidies aimed at suppressing gasoline prices, current gasoline costs have fallen for two consecutive weeks. According to the Oil Information Center's announcement on April 1, the national average price per liter of regular gasoline (as of March 30) was 170.2 yen, down 7.5 yen from the previous week.
However, in this survey conducted on April 2, 91.9% of consumers answered that they "feel a burden."
Those answering "feel a very strong burden" alone accounted for 53.5%, a majority, revealing the reality that while subsidies exist, they have not been enough to ease the perceived costs for consumers.
"Will Rise Further" 77.5% Predict Price Increases; Sense of Relief Does Not Spread
Regarding future gasoline price outlooks, 77.5% answered "I think it will rise higher than now," while only 3.7% thought "it will drop." It is noteworthy that despite the current subsidy levels being maintained, nearly 80% of consumers harbor a sense of caution about the future.
This is believed to be driven by deep-rooted concerns over the end or reduction of subsidies, as well as anxiety regarding international crude oil prices and foreign exchange trends. The anxiety that "prices could spike at any time" appears to be a factor encouraging daily money-saving behaviors.