Gas Prices near 150 yen/liter

Varying from ¥147 ~ ¥157 per liter depending on local taxes and sales competition, gas prices in Japan have hit new highs (though our European friends are still paying a lot more)!

What does that mean in lifestyle terms? In 2001 it took ¥3500 to fill the tank of my 12-year-old jalopy, and now it's around ¥5000. That lasts about three weeks, unless I take a trip or have too many errands.

Still, that's direct costs. Since Japan is such a heavy importer of goods, the price of oil will affect the prices of just about everything. I doubt people would respond by taking to the streets here, more likely, they'll turn more and more to hybrids.