JAKARTA - The average price of gasoline in Japan rose to 161.80 yen (about Rp17,230) per liter amid a surge in crude oil prices due to the war in Iran.
The average price has risen by 3.30 yen since March 2 and is expected to break through 180 yen next week.
The increase has been recorded for four consecutive weeks, even before the US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 pushed up crude oil prices, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said on Wednesday (11/3).
The Oil Information Center, which collects the data, estimates that prices could rise again by about 20 yen next week because the tension in the Middle East is still ongoing.
The rise in gasoline prices is a problem for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government, which is trying to tackle inflation.
After the end of the temporary gasoline tax in December, gasoline prices in recent weeks have been at their lowest level in four and a half years.
In mid-January, gasoline prices hit a low of 154.70 yen, contributing to a slowdown in national inflation to 2.0 percent that month, the lowest in two years.
According to the ministry, the price of solar and kerosene on Monday was also recorded as rising throughout Japan.
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