Angry motorists swiftly slammed the government's decision Wednesday to reinstate provisional extra tax rates on gasoline, with some calling the imminent price hike a "terrible act" and others criticizing Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda for his strong-arm political tactics.

"Someone has to take responsibility for all the confusion regarding gas prices," a 48-year-old man waiting at a gasoline station in Minato Ward, Tokyo, said.

The driver, who only gave his last name, Kozaka, was waiting behind four other cars to fill up his Honda minivan. The price at that station was ¥126 per liter but could go as high as ¥160 once the additional tax rates are reinstated.