Fuel demand surges amid heat wave

Fuel demand in Japan has been rising rapidly since the second half of July, due to a nationwide heat wave following the rainy season. That demand is expected to continue rising; the Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts the hot weather will continue in August. Gasoline shipments from June 27 through July 24 jumped 9.1% on the month to 4.37 million kiloliters, according to the Petroleum Association of Japan. Shipments rose roughly 1% on the year. The increase was driven by growing air conditioner use in homes and cars because of the hot weather, as well as the growing number of people taking to the roads and hitting the beach to escape the sweltering heat. (August 2, 2010)