3 Reasons Why Japanese Use Less Gasoline

For the past 32 years, gasoline consumption in Japan rose. In 2006 it will drop.

The amount of the drop, 1%, is not nearly as significant as the fact that it dropped.

Japan is using less gasoline now.

There are several reasons:

1. High oil prices – Japanese stopped buying so much and headed for public transportation. You can go anywhere in Japan, the key word being anywhere – by public transportation.

2. More fuel efficient cars – Japan's sales of minivehicles sold in November alone was 1.87 million, up 4.5% from last year.

3. Japan's driver population is dropping. The number of people on the roads is declining.

In August of this year, gasoline peaked at 144 yen/liter = $4.71/gallon and now is about $4.40/gallon.

Yep, that would make me want to drive less or get a more efficient car. How about you?

What do you think?