stylistic:tone
Japan

Before 1998, filling stations in Japan were entirely full-service stations. Self-service stations were legalized in Japan in 1998 following the abolition of the Special Petroleum Law, which led to the deregulation of the petroleum industry in Japan. Under current safety regulations, while motorists are able to self-dispense fuel at self-service stations, generally identified in Japanese as serufu (セルフ), at least one fuel attendant must be on hand to keep watch over potential safety violations and to render assistance to motorists whenever necessary.