Gasoline production up by 8.8% in Japan

Japan’s output of refined oil products fell 1% year-on-year in September to 15.622 million kiloliters (3.28 million barrels per day), preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) showed. However, while total refined oil output fell, gasoline production jumped 8.8% from a year ago to 4.79 million kiloliters. This was due mainly to an increase in demand for motor fuel as a result of lower prices year-on-year, and a cut in expressway fees. The country’s ex-refinery or ex-oil terminal shipments of gasoline also rose, up 1.2% year-on-year to 4.85 million kiloliters in September. (October 28, 2009)