Kochi Prefecture gasoline industry reveals how price competition ended

Several gasoline industry officials in Kochi Prefecture confirmed to the Asahi Shimbun that dealers in the prefecture had the same sign price. The main exchanges are as follows.

Former store manager (interviewed at the end of August)

--What kind of discussions took place when price competition was brought to an end in the past?

"It's not a discussion. If we talk about it, it would involve the JFTC (Fair Trade Commission), so we can't do that."

"From my perspective, I'm talking about the industry as a whole. When businesses go to war, when they oversell each other, consumers are happy when the prices are lower, but when a gas station shuts down because it can't eat anymore, it ends up being a huge inconvenience to consumers."

"I told everyone that we must strictly refrain from producing results that would cause problems for consumers. That's why (the price competition) came to an end."

"We reduce the number of people in the industry by selling things at a low price just for our own convenience. Is that really a good thing for people in the industry or for our customers?"

"In his words (about the company manager who was at the center of the bargain sale), he said, ``You are seriously thinking about this industry, and I will listen to what you have to say,'' and we were all able to join hands."

``I've been through dozens of painful experiences that have made me vomit blood, but everyone in the oil industry in Kochi Prefecture has been able to come to peace with each other.''

--It seems that the dealers of the company that was at the center of the discount competition are now selling products 2 to 3 yen cheaper than other companies.

“Oh, I guess so.”