Japan is keeping gasoline prices below one euro per liter, even as tensions in the Middle East have disrupted global oil supplies, according to recent reports. The Japanese government has pledged to maintain the national average price of gasoline at around 170 yen per liter, which is less than one euro given the current exchange rate. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has confirmed that the government is using reserve funds to ensure this price remains stable, despite rising global fuel costs. Japan’s currency, the yen, has weakened significantly against the euro and other major currencies, which slightly complicates direct comparisons between fuel prices in Japan and those in Europe. However, even before the recent Middle East crisis, Japanese gasoline prices were lower than in many European countries. This is partly because Japan abolished a 25 yen per liter tax on gasoline several years ago, which helped reduce domestic fuel costs. When the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, was temporarily closed due to regional tensions, Japan took swift action to secure its fuel supplies. The government released strategic oil reserves and activated all available measures to prevent shortages. To maintain stable prices, the government compensates distributors when international fuel prices rise, covering the difference at a rate of more than 50 yen per liter. These subsidies have already cost the government over 50 billion euros, an amount equivalent to Japan’s entire annual defense budget. The financial burden highlights the government's commitment to keeping fuel prices low, even at a significant economic cost, to protect consumers and businesses from the impact of the global energy crisis.