The average retail price of kerosene hit a record high 1,354 yen per 18 liters in January, up 103 yen from the previous month, according to the results of a monthly survey released Monday by an industry body.
The Oil Information Center attributed the hike to a rise in kerosene wholesale prices and an increase in demand for heating because of cold weather and heavy snow. The average kerosene wholesale price rose by between 1 yen and 1.3 yen per liter in January, it said.
The center said the average retail price of regular gasoline dropped 1 yen in January to 128 yen per liter.