ガソリン「160円までが限界」→車やレジャー控え、外食節約も
Gasoline prices have been soaring recently, with many consumers expressing that ¥160 per liter is the absolute limit before serious hardship.
People are consequently cutting back on driving, leisure activities, and dining out, shifting into a frugality mode.
Online, widespread cries of distress like "life is becoming unmanageable" are being heard.
Related Keywords
Components of Gasoline Price
The retail price of gasoline is formed by a complex interplay of crude oil procurement costs, various taxes, distribution costs, refining costs, and profit margins. The largest factor is international crude oil prices, but in Japan, taxes such as the "Gasoline Tax," "Petroleum and Coal Tax," "Global Warming Countermeasure Tax," and "Consumption Tax" are added. For instance, as of June 2024, for every liter of gasoline, approximately ¥53.8 is for Gasoline Tax, ¥2.8 for Petroleum and Coal Tax, ¥2.6 for Global Warming Countermeasure Tax, and then a 10% Consumption Tax is levied on the total price including these taxes. This means that nearly 40% to 50% of the retail price is accounted for by taxes. Exchange rate fluctuations also have a significant impact; the weaker the yen, the higher the import cost of crude oil traded in dollars, pushing up domestic gasoline prices. The government continues its subsidy program to mitigate drastic changes in fuel oil prices, suppressing price increases beyond a certain level. However, this is only a temporary measure, and there's always a risk of prices soaring again if subsidies are reduced or terminated. This complex structure makes it difficult for consumers to predict price fluctuations and fuels dissatisfaction over "why it's so expensive."
Disposable Income
Disposable income refers to "take-home pay" – the income (such as salary or business revenue) an individual has left after deducting taxes (income tax, resident tax, etc.) and social insurance premiums (health insurance, pension, etc.). When disposable income decreases, people are compelled to curb spending on non-essential items. The surge in gasoline prices particularly affects those who rely on cars daily, increasing "necessary expenses" for commuting, shopping, and leisure, effectively reducing their disposable income. For example, if a person who fills up 30 liters monthly sees gasoline prices rise from ¥140 to ¥160, their monthly gasoline bill increases by ¥600, from ¥4,200 to ¥4,800. While this may seem like a small amount, combined with the current rise in other household expenses (food, utilities, education, etc.), it puts pressure on overall living costs. As a result, "non-essential but quality-of-life-enhancing expenses" like dining out, entertainment, and travel are often the first to be cut. This phenomenon can lead to a slump in personal consumption across the Japanese economy, hindering economic recovery. A decrease in disposable income has economic repercussions on society as a whole, beyond simple saving.
Consumer Sentiment (Consumer Psychology)
Consumer sentiment refers to the psychological state and economic outlook that consumers hold regarding current economic conditions and future prospects. This is heavily influenced not just by objective economic indicators like increases or decreases in income, but also by subjective feelings such as "anxiety about the future" and "concerns about price increases." The surge in gasoline prices directly impacts daily living expenses for many consumers, making it a major factor in dampening consumer sentiment. For example, when anxieties spread like "gasoline is too expensive to go far even on weekends" or "will prices rise even more from now on?", people unconsciously tighten their purse strings and try to avoid unnecessary spending. The Consumer Confidence Index published by the Cabinet Office is one important indicator that measures such trends in consumer sentiment. Alongside gasoline prices, rising costs for electricity and food—other daily necessities—are collectively contributing to a growing "frugality mindset" in Japanese society. Once this psychological state takes root, even a temporary drop in gasoline prices may not lead to an immediate recovery in consumption, potentially resulting in a long-term economic slowdown. For businesses, a decline in consumer purchasing intent directly translates to decreased sales, making this a trend that demands close attention.