Truck drivers demonstrate over fuel prices

On 26 August 2008 thousands of truck drivers participated in demonstrations organized by the Japan Trucking Association to protest against rising fuel costs. The association estimated that as many as 20,000 people observed the protests, which consisted of convoys of trucks driving very slowly on roads and significantly impeding traffic. Banners warning that companies would be forced to raise surcharges to make up for the rising fuel prices were hung on many of the convoy vehicles. In addition to the slow-moving convoys, hundreds of people participated in various marches to demand a reduction of gas and highway toll prices.