Adds historic data in second paragraph

TOKYO, April 8 (Reuters) - Japanese oil refineries cut utilisation rates to 67.7% of designed capacity in the week to April 4 from 72.5% a week earlier, Petroleum Association of Japan data showed on Wednesday.

The refinery utilisation rates are down from more than 80% before the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has disrupted oil supply. Last week's rate is the lowest since it stood at 66.7% in June 2025, PAJ data shows.

• Japan began to partially release oil stockpiles from March 16.

• In total, Japan is making available about 50 days' worth of oil consumption and is asking the International Energy Agency to consider coordinated release of a second batch of stockpiles.

• Owing to changes in Japan's petroleum product supply structure, PAJ suspended publication of a breakdown for the weekly stocks of gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene and diesel.

• Gasoline prices fell to 167.4 yen ($1.06) a litre by April 6, down from 170.2 yen the previous week and off the mid-March record high of 190.8 yen, industry ministry data showed, as Japan started to roll out subsidies to cushion rising prices.

• LNG stockpiles held by major Japanese utilities were down to 2.19 million metric tons on March 29, down from 2.38 million tons a week earlier but above levels a year earlier and the five-year average for the period, according to Japan's industry ministry.

($1 = 158.3300 yen)