Japan military may run out of gas money this year

By Jay Alabaster, Associated Press Writer Japan's military may run out of gas money this year despite cutbacks on use of jets, ships TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's military may use up its annual fuel budget months early this year, despite running some ships and planes at low power and cutting back on major exercises.

Faced with fuel costs that exceed spending plans by 60 percent, the Self Defense Force has scaled back training missions involving jets and ships, vehicles are being run at slower speeds, and more passengers are being squeezed in per trip in order to conserve fuel, a Defense Ministry spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

"If fuel prices keep increasing we won't be able to cover it, and we will have to make a request to ensure we have sufficient funds," the spokeswoman said.

She refused to say the fuel shortage would affect Japan's foreign operations, such as dispatches in support of U.S.-led forces in Iraq, but she denied that the country's defense would be compromised.

It was unclear when the country's military would run out of gas under current conditions, though broadcaster NHK said the fuel budget would run out in November, over four months before the end of the fiscal year in March.

A request for more funds would likely be included in the supplementary budget, to be debated in the Diet -- Japan's parliament -- later this year, she said.

Japan is dependent on imports for 99.7 percent of its oil supply. Over the last two months, the average price for fuel used in military vehicles -- land, air and sea -- has risen to $4.18 a gallon (120,000 yen per kiloliter), 60 percent higher than the $2.62 a gallon (75,000 yen per kiloliter) budgeted by the military.

The ministry is considering canceling its largest annual naval exercise in November for the first time. The exercise involving 90 warships and 170 jets has not been called off since it began in 1954.

As in other countries, soaring oil prices have also hit consumers and prompted some industries to ask the government for help.

Japanese fisherman staged their largest-ever national strike last month, and Tokyo responded with 74.5 billion yen ($690 million) in emergency aid.

Earlier this week thousands of truck drivers across Japan held demonstrations to protest rising fuel prices, demanding lower gas taxes and highway tolls and warning they would add surcharges to cover spiraling costs.

Even royalty has not been exempt: when Emperor Akihito attends an annual ocean convention in northern Japan in September, there will be no sea parade for him this year.

Original here