【Tokyo taxi fares go up due to rising costs】

Taxi fares in central Tokyo have gone up for the first time in 15 years amid rising operation costs.

The initial fare rose Monday by nearly 20 percent. It went from 420 yen, or about 3 dollars, to 500 yen, or 3 dollars and 60 cents.

Additional fares also rose. Taxis had charged 80 yen, or about 60 cents, per 233 meters. The fare is now 100 yen, or some 70 cents, per 255 meters.