Approximately 60% of Kanto Residents "Don't Know Much" About Urban Gas Liberalization
A survey conducted by ALL CONNECT Inc. targeting 305 urban gas users in Kanto revealed that approximately 60% do not understand urban gas liberalization, and only just over 10% have switched providers. While the complexity of procedures is the main reason, about 65% expressed willingness to consider switching in the future.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 11:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 05:28 (425h 57m after Collected)
ALL CONNECT Inc. (Headquarters: Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, Representative Director and President: Kota Iwai), which operates the lifestyle infrastructure information media "Sumika no Mori" (https://lifeline.all-connect.co.jp/), conducted a "Survey on Awareness and Actual Conditions Regarding Urban Gas" targeting 305 urban gas users residing in the Kanto area.
## Survey Summary
- Awareness of Gas Liberalization: Approximately 60% (59.3%) do not sufficiently understand the content.
- Switching Experience: Only 12.1% have actually switched providers.
- Top Reason for Not Switching: "The procedure seems troublesome" at 59.0%.
- Top Priority Point: "Low monthly gas bill" at 83.3%.
- Future Switching Intent: 65.6% "wish to consider it."
Detailed survey results can be viewed below.
Details: https://lifeline.all-connect.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/kanto-citygas-survey-results.pdf
This survey revealed that even now, nine years after the full liberalization of urban gas retail in 2017, approximately 60% (59.3%) of urban gas users in Kanto do not sufficiently understand the content of liberalization, and only 12.1% of the total have actually switched gas companies.
The most common reason for not switching was "The procedure seems troublesome" at 59.0%, followed by "No dissatisfaction with the current gas company" at 49.3%, and "Don't know how much cheaper it would be" at 36.2%. On the other hand, the most important point when choosing a gas company was "Low monthly gas bill" at 83.3%, indicating high consumer demand for savings.
Furthermore, future switching intent is noteworthy. The total of "wish to consider immediately," "wish to consider within six months," and "wish to consider someday" reached 65.6%, highlighting a significant gap between potential switching demand and actual action.
## Detailed Survey Results
### Awareness of Urban Gas Liberalization: Approximately 60% "Don't know in detail"
When asked, "Are you aware that urban gas retail was liberalized in 2017, allowing you to freely choose your gas company?", only 40.7% responded, "Yes, and I understand the content."
## Survey Summary
- Awareness of Gas Liberalization: Approximately 60% (59.3%) do not sufficiently understand the content.
- Switching Experience: Only 12.1% have actually switched providers.
- Top Reason for Not Switching: "The procedure seems troublesome" at 59.0%.
- Top Priority Point: "Low monthly gas bill" at 83.3%.
- Future Switching Intent: 65.6% "wish to consider it."
Detailed survey results can be viewed below.
Details: https://lifeline.all-connect.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/kanto-citygas-survey-results.pdf
This survey revealed that even now, nine years after the full liberalization of urban gas retail in 2017, approximately 60% (59.3%) of urban gas users in Kanto do not sufficiently understand the content of liberalization, and only 12.1% of the total have actually switched gas companies.
The most common reason for not switching was "The procedure seems troublesome" at 59.0%, followed by "No dissatisfaction with the current gas company" at 49.3%, and "Don't know how much cheaper it would be" at 36.2%. On the other hand, the most important point when choosing a gas company was "Low monthly gas bill" at 83.3%, indicating high consumer demand for savings.
Furthermore, future switching intent is noteworthy. The total of "wish to consider immediately," "wish to consider within six months," and "wish to consider someday" reached 65.6%, highlighting a significant gap between potential switching demand and actual action.
## Detailed Survey Results
### Awareness of Urban Gas Liberalization: Approximately 60% "Don't know in detail"
When asked, "Are you aware that urban gas retail was liberalized in 2017, allowing you to freely choose your gas company?", only 40.7% responded, "Yes, and I understand the content."