TOKYO, March 16 (Reuters) - Benchmark Japanese

government bond yields touched a one-month high on Monday as the

escalating Middle East crisisfuelled expectations of higher

inflation and potential policy tightening by the Bank of Japan.

The 10-year JGB yield briefly touched 2.25%,

its highest since February 10, before easing in early trade.

Yields move inversely to bond prices.

Global bond yields are on the rise as the war in Iran, now

in its third week, pushes oil prices sharply higher and

increases pressure on central banks to combat inflation fears.

The BOJ is widely expected to keep its key interest rate

steady at its policy meeting on Thursday. Still,the combination

of surging imported energy costs and a weakening yen is

strengthening the case for a faster pace of rate hikes.

"Against the backdrop of growing momentum for further BOJ

rate hikes, short- to medium-term yields are likely to rise,

driven by the risk-neutral rate," Barclays analysts led by

Shinichiro Kadota said in a note.

Meanwhile, markets were choppy on the day, with risk

appetite stabilising slightly after U.S. President Donald Trump

said he is urging other countries to help safeguard the Strait

of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route.

Futures on the 10-year JGB rose 0.14 yen to

131.320.05 yen to 131.23.

The 30-year yield added 1 bps to 3.515%. The

two-year yield, the one most sensitive to BOJ

policy moves, eased 0.5 bps to 1.28%.