With recent geopolitical instability rattling international oil markets, the price of gasoline has begun to climb across the globe, and Japan hasn't emerged unscathed.
The price at the pump reached ¥170 per liter on Jan. 24 — the highest it’s been in over 13 years.
The government has responded with subsidies to try to thwart a further rise, but it remains unclear how effective the measures will be.