Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Friday the impact of high oil prices could not be ignored and the government would continue doing its best to ease the pain from high energy costs. "Oil prices have finally risen above $100 (a barrel). I think it is temporary but we cannot ignore its impact," Fukuda told a news conference.
Noting a package of steps his administration drew up late last year to cope with high oil prices, he said the government would continue doing its best to deal with the issue.