SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Gas prices on Okinawa bases have taken customers on a roller coaster ride recently. On Saturday, after weeks of rising prices, drivers can expect a 30-cent dip for regular gas, according to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which manages military gas stations

The drop in price comes on the heels of 45-cents worth of increases since the end of July, which gave Okinawa the distinction of having the highest-priced gasoline in the Pacific. The rise in price was due to contractual changes with the Japanese supplier and the fluctuating yen-to-dollar ratio, AAFES officials said at the time.

Officials from AAFES could not be reached for comment, but the new price of $3.68 per gallon for unleaded gasoline brings the skyrocketing prices on Okinawa back down to earth, one cent less than Guam. Guam now has the highest prices in the Pacific.

Japan, South Korea and Guam all saw their prices fall between 2 and 3 cents per gallon, which typically reflects domestic fuel prices in the United States. AAFES will be selling mid-grade gas on mainland Japan for $3.51 per gallon. Gas in South Korea will be $3.60 per gallon for regular when the new AAFES pricing begins this weekend.