The Japanese central bank is coming under pressure to act and avoid falling behind the curve on inflation, especially as oil prices creep up over $100 per barrel. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Nanami Sato, Hikaru Yagi and AP) Trading AsiaUS-Iran tensions escalate, fueling oil price surge and inflation worriesJADA NAGUMOJuly 27, 2026 06:00 JST