TOKYO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Japan's nationwide average retail price of regular gasoline stood at 190.8 yen (about 1.2 U.S. dollars) per liter as of Monday, up 29 yen from the previous week, rising for a fifth straight week, industry ministry data showed Wednesday.

The price has reached its highest level since August 1990, when the current survey method was introduced. The price hike is fueled by surging crude oil prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. ■