Over 90% Anxious About Rising Gasoline Prices; Over 40% Feel a Decrease in 'Driving' and 'Long-Distance Travel'
A survey by Kufu Soken of 6,810 drivers revealed that over 90% are anxious about soaring gasoline prices. Consequently, over 40% have reduced long-distance trips, and many plan to stay close to home during the Golden Week holidays.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 13:20 (98h 48m after Collected)
Kufu Seikatsusha Sogo Kenkyujo (hereinafter referred to as Kufu Soken), which conducts research and disseminates information contributing to improving the life satisfaction of consumers and society, conducted a survey on gasoline costs targeting 6,810 consumers who routinely drive private cars.
While crude oil prices soar and supply anxiety continues due to the tense situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has initiated emergency mitigation measures, the effect of which keeps gasoline prices within the maximum price set by the government. On the other hand, consumer interest is high regarding how long this subsidy will last and how much oil reserves Japan has. The results of this survey reflect the earnest feelings of such consumers.
■ Survey Result Summary
- Over 90% feel anxious about the rising price of gasoline.
- Over 60% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'.
- Over 40% of people feel that 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance car travel' have 'decreased'.
- For Golden Week, about 20% plan 'outings nearby by car', and about 40% have 'no plans to go out'.
- For over half, the refueling amount is less than 4,000 yen per time, with efforts to keep costs down through eco-driving and choosing gas stations.
- Over 60% 'don't know' or 'don't understand' the measures against high prices.
■ Survey Overview
Survey theme: Regarding gasoline costs
Survey area: Nationwide
Target audience: Survey of users of the household account book service 'Kufu Zaim' and flyer/shopping information service 'Kufu Tokubai'. Responses from a total of 6,810 people who routinely drive private cars.
Survey period: April 3 (Fri) - April 6 (Mon), 2026
Survey method: Internet survey
Over 90% feel anxious about the rising price of gasoline
Over 90% of people who routinely drive private cars answered that they 'are anxious about the rising price of gasoline' (total of 93.1% for 'very anxious' and 'somewhat anxious').
Specifically, they cited anxiety about prices soaring further when government subsidies end, and about gasoline becoming unavailable.
■ Specific anxieties (from survey responses)
- Worried it might get even more expensive; it would be a problem if high gasoline prices continue forever. (Female, 40s)
- I live in an area where you can't live without a car, so I'm purely worried if I can manage to live. (Male, 30s)
- I'm more anxious about gasoline becoming unavailable than the price. (Female, 50s)
- How long will the subsidies that keep gasoline prices down continue? (Female, 50s)
- Will prices go up even further? (Female, 30s)
Over 60% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'
As concerns about rising crude oil prices and supply volumes due to the Middle East situation are covered in the media, when asked if there had been any changes in their own behavior, 62.3% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'.
Responses also included 'started checking TV news' (45.7%), 'conversations related to the Middle East situation and crude oil increased' (20.0%), and 'started thinking specifically about the impact if the crude oil supply falls short' (16.4%), showing that many people have a high interest in the latest trends. In addition, some people feel a sense of crisis regarding the burden on their household budget, answering that they 'started saving on living expenses other than gasoline' (27.7%).
Over 40% of people feel that 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance car travel' have 'decreased'
Regarding changes in the frequency of traveling by car, answers stating that it has 'decreased' stood out, especially for 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance travel/trips', at over 40% respectively. This shows a desire to reduce unnecessary car travel as much as possible due to the increased burden of gasoline costs.
For Golden Week, about 20% plan 'outings nearby by car', and about 40% have 'no plans to go out'
Golden Week in 2026 has a 4-day weekend from May 3 to 6, and it's a hot topic that taking weekdays off around those dates makes it easy to get 8 to 12 consecutive days off, or even 16 if conditions align. However, at the time of the survey, not many people were planning outings, with the most common being 'outings nearby by private car' (19.7%). Returning to hometowns or traveling by private car both remained at about 6%. About 40% answered 'no plans to go out'.
While there were comments such as 'I try to refrain from moving by private car by using public transportation' (Female, 50s), traveling or returning home using public transportation is also a minority. Voices expressing frugality such as 'I want to go out as little as possible to save money' (Female, 60s) and 'I try not to go far' (Male, 40s) were prominent.
While crude oil prices soar and supply anxiety continues due to the tense situation in the Middle East, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has initiated emergency mitigation measures, the effect of which keeps gasoline prices within the maximum price set by the government. On the other hand, consumer interest is high regarding how long this subsidy will last and how much oil reserves Japan has. The results of this survey reflect the earnest feelings of such consumers.
■ Survey Result Summary
- Over 90% feel anxious about the rising price of gasoline.
- Over 60% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'.
- Over 40% of people feel that 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance car travel' have 'decreased'.
- For Golden Week, about 20% plan 'outings nearby by car', and about 40% have 'no plans to go out'.
- For over half, the refueling amount is less than 4,000 yen per time, with efforts to keep costs down through eco-driving and choosing gas stations.
- Over 60% 'don't know' or 'don't understand' the measures against high prices.
■ Survey Overview
Survey theme: Regarding gasoline costs
Survey area: Nationwide
Target audience: Survey of users of the household account book service 'Kufu Zaim' and flyer/shopping information service 'Kufu Tokubai'. Responses from a total of 6,810 people who routinely drive private cars.
Survey period: April 3 (Fri) - April 6 (Mon), 2026
Survey method: Internet survey
Over 90% feel anxious about the rising price of gasoline
Over 90% of people who routinely drive private cars answered that they 'are anxious about the rising price of gasoline' (total of 93.1% for 'very anxious' and 'somewhat anxious').
Specifically, they cited anxiety about prices soaring further when government subsidies end, and about gasoline becoming unavailable.
■ Specific anxieties (from survey responses)
- Worried it might get even more expensive; it would be a problem if high gasoline prices continue forever. (Female, 40s)
- I live in an area where you can't live without a car, so I'm purely worried if I can manage to live. (Male, 30s)
- I'm more anxious about gasoline becoming unavailable than the price. (Female, 50s)
- How long will the subsidies that keep gasoline prices down continue? (Female, 50s)
- Will prices go up even further? (Female, 30s)
Over 60% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'
As concerns about rising crude oil prices and supply volumes due to the Middle East situation are covered in the media, when asked if there had been any changes in their own behavior, 62.3% answered that they 'have started checking gasoline prices frequently'.
Responses also included 'started checking TV news' (45.7%), 'conversations related to the Middle East situation and crude oil increased' (20.0%), and 'started thinking specifically about the impact if the crude oil supply falls short' (16.4%), showing that many people have a high interest in the latest trends. In addition, some people feel a sense of crisis regarding the burden on their household budget, answering that they 'started saving on living expenses other than gasoline' (27.7%).
Over 40% of people feel that 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance car travel' have 'decreased'
Regarding changes in the frequency of traveling by car, answers stating that it has 'decreased' stood out, especially for 'driving for pleasure' and 'long-distance travel/trips', at over 40% respectively. This shows a desire to reduce unnecessary car travel as much as possible due to the increased burden of gasoline costs.
For Golden Week, about 20% plan 'outings nearby by car', and about 40% have 'no plans to go out'
Golden Week in 2026 has a 4-day weekend from May 3 to 6, and it's a hot topic that taking weekdays off around those dates makes it easy to get 8 to 12 consecutive days off, or even 16 if conditions align. However, at the time of the survey, not many people were planning outings, with the most common being 'outings nearby by private car' (19.7%). Returning to hometowns or traveling by private car both remained at about 6%. About 40% answered 'no plans to go out'.
While there were comments such as 'I try to refrain from moving by private car by using public transportation' (Female, 50s), traveling or returning home using public transportation is also a minority. Voices expressing frugality such as 'I want to go out as little as possible to save money' (Female, 60s) and 'I try not to go far' (Male, 40s) were prominent.