Nearly half of the nation's drivers are cutting back on gasoline consumption amid record-high oil prices, according to a recent survey.
Of the 28,756 people who responded to a survey by the Petroleum Association of Japan, 48 percent said they are conserving gas and 39 percent said they want to but cannot.
Due to rising gasoline prices, the association found that roughly 90 percent of those surveyed are considering cutting back.
It said 45 percent of those polled are trying not to use cars for short journeys for shopping and other purposes, while 36 percent said they are altering their purchasing habits at service stations, such as switching to cheaper gas stations or limiting how much they spend.
The association carried out the survey July 27 to Aug. 31.