Japan to extend discounts to weekday drivers in Aug

Japan’s government will extend highway toll discounts to several weekdays during the country’s peak driving season in August in a move that is likely to boost summer gasoline sales in the world’s No.3 oil consumer. In late March, Japan introduced a 50%t discount on highway tolls for passenger cars and motorcycles equipped with electronic toll collection (ETC) systems on weekends and national holidays, with a ceiling cost of ¥1,000 (US$10) irrespective of the distance travelled. On Tuesday, Japan’s transportation ministry said it would extend the discount to the first two Thursdays and Fridays in August, which includes the nation’s “obon” holidays in the middle of the month, when gasoline sales typically peak. The government also said it plans to cut highway tolls by half for business vehicles such as buses and trucks on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays between Aug. 3 and Aug. 18, which could also increase sales of gas oil or diesel. (July 1, 2009)