Japan’s gasoline prices at the highest level in 13 years is forcing the government to give the maximum amount of subsidies for oil refiners and also consider measures to lower the nation’s gasoline tax. The country’s average gasoline price was at 175.2 yen ($1.48) a liter on Monday, according to data released on Wednesday from the trade ministry. That’s the 10th consecutive week of gains, and the highest level since September 2008. The government said it will pay out the maximum subsidy of 25 yen a liter for gasoline and other oil products from Thursday. Without subsidies, the trade ministry sees gasoline prices at 197.1 yen a liter next week. That would make it the most expensive on record, according to Bloomberg data going back to 2004. The war in Ukraine has roiled commodities markets, heightening the challenges as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s administration grapples with inflationary pressures in […]