TOKYO, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The average retail price of regular gasoline in Japan dropped to a 15-month low of 174.3 yen (about 1.22 U.S. dollars) per liter, government data showed Wednesday.
Pump prices at gasoline stands around the nation as of Monday went down 3.3 yen from the previous week, reflecting decreasing crude oil prices and a new government subsidy program, according to the industry ministry.
All 47 prefectures of the country logged declines in average pump prices for the second consecutive week, with Saitama seeing the lowest average at 167.9 yen and Nagasaki the highest at 185 yen.
On May 22, the Japanese government started a new gasoline subsidy program to cope with the rise in household living costs, aiming to cut the prices of gasoline by 10 yen per liter by mid-June. ■
