The average pump price as of Monday was up 0.9 yen from a week before, rising for 16 straight weeks, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The continued rise came amid higher crude oil prices and a weaker yen, as well as the Japanese government’s gradual downsizing of its subsidies to push down gasoline prices from June.
Starting Thursday, the government will expand the program to pay subsidies to oil wholesalers.
Previously, the Japanese government planned to halt the subsidy program, designed to curb the impact of a surge in gasoline and other fuel prices, at the end of September, which would further affect households amid surging inflation.
