About 60% of Kanto Residents Respond 'Don't Know the Details' About Urban Gas Liberalization

ALL CONNECT INC. (Headquarters: Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture, President and CEO: Kōta Iwai), which operates the lifestyle infrastructure information media 'Sumikanomori' (https://lifeline.all-connect.co.jp/), conducted an 'Awareness and Actual Conditions Survey on Urban Gas' targeting 305 urban gas users residing in the Kanto region.

Survey Summary

* **Gas Liberalization Awareness:** Approximately 60% (59.3%) do not fully understand the details of liberalization. * **Switching Experience:** Only 12.1% have actually switched. * **Reason for Not Switching (1st Place):** 'Procedures seem troublesome' - 59.0% * **Key Point (1st Place):** 'Low monthly gas bills' - 83.3% * **Future Switching Intent:** 65.6% 'want to consider'

The detailed results of the survey 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 nine years after the full liberalization of urban gas retail in 2017, approximately 60% (59.3%) of urban gas users in the Kanto region still do not fully understand the liberalization details, and only 12.1% have actually switched gas companies.

The primary reason for not switching was 'Procedures seem troublesome' at 59.0%, followed by 'No dissatisfaction with the current gas company' at 49.3%, and 'Don't know how much cheaper it will be' at 36.2%.

On the other hand, the most important factor when choosing a gas company was 'Low monthly gas bills' at 83.3%, indicating a high consumer need for savings.

Notably, regarding future switching intent, 'want to consider immediately,' 'want to consider within six months,' and 'want to consider someday' combined reached 65.6%, highlighting a significant gap between potential switching demand and actual behavior.

Survey Results (Details)

### ① Awareness of Urban Gas Liberalization: About 60% 'Don't Know the Details'

When asked, 'Do you know that urban gas retail was liberalized in 2017, allowing you to choose your gas company freely?', only 40.7% responded 'I know and understand the details.' 'I've heard of it but don't know the details' was 48.2%, and 'I didn't know at all' was 11.1%, revealing that liberalization has not sufficiently permeated even nine years later.

### ② Gas Company Switching Experience: Only About 10% Have Switched

To the question, 'Have you ever switched urban gas companies?', 12.1% answered 'Yes, I have switched.' 'Considered but did not switch' was 26.2%, and 'Never considered switching' was the largest group at 61.6%, indicating that many consumers have not even begun to compare or consider options.

### ③ Reason for Not Switching: 'Procedures Seem Troublesome' is the Most Common Reason (Approx. 60%)

When asked about the reasons for not having switched gas companies (n=268), 'Procedures seem troublesome' was the most common answer at 59.0%. This was followed by 'No dissatisfaction with the current gas company' at 49.3%, and 'Don't know how much cheaper it will be' at 36.2%, and 'Don't know which company to choose' at 35.1%.

In reality, switching urban gas is 'no construction required, no attendance needed,' and the new gas company handles the cancellation procedures, meaning there is hardly any hassle. This suggests a gap between consumer perception ('troublesome') and the actual situation.

### ④ Key Points for Choosing a Gas Company: 'Low Bills' Overwhelmingly #1 (Over 80%)

When asked to select up to three key points when choosing a gas company, 'Low monthly gas bills' was the overwhelming #1 at 83.3%. 'Company name recognition/trustworthiness' was second at 51.5%, and 'Clarity of pricing plans' was third at 37.0%.

### ⑤ Dissatisfaction with Monthly Gas Bills: About 40% 'Dissatisfied,' Over 40% for Family Households

When asked about satisfaction with monthly gas bills, the dissatisfied group ('Very dissatisfied' (3.6%) + 'Somewhat dissatisfied' (33.1%)) accounted for 36.7% of the total. By household size, dissatisfaction in households with 3 or more people was 41.3%, significantly higher than single-person households at 26.9%.

### ⑥ Prefectural Data: Different Characteristics Revealed in Each Area

The following shows the results for the four major prefectures compared to the Kanto region's overall data.

| Indicator | Kanto Overall | Tokyo | Kanagawa | Saitama | Chiba | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Liberalization 'Don't know/don't know details' | 59.3% | 57.3% | 58.4% | 58.8% | **67.6%** | | Switching experience | 12.1% | **15.3%** | 13.0% | **5.9%** | 8.8% | | Gas bill dissatisfaction rate | 36.7% | 32.3% | **49.4%** | 35.3% | 35.3% | | Switching intent | 65.6% | 62.9% | **68.8%** | **66.7%** | 64.7% |

(n=Kanto Overall 305, Tokyo 124, Kanagawa 77, Saitama 51, Chiba 34)

**Tokyo:** Switching experience rate was the highest among the four prefectures at 15.3%, and the proportion prioritizing 'low gas bills' was also the highest at 87.1%. This is the area where cost consciousness is strong and switching is most advanced.

**Kanagawa:** The dissatisfaction rate with gas bills was 49.4%, significantly exceeding the Kanto average by 12.7 points and standing out among the four prefectures. Switching intent was also the highest at 68.8%, indicating large potential demand.

Keywords: Sumikanomori, Survey, Urban Gas, Living Infrastructure, ALL CONNECT