0408 GMT - Cost pressures remain a key area of concern for Japanese firms, S&P Global PMI data show, sending another signal that the inflationary backdrop looks conducive to monetary tightening. Input costs are continuing to rise sharply across manufacturing and services, despite inflation easing from recent peaks, says Annabel Fiddes at S&P Global Market Intelligence. The war in the Middle East and associated supply disruptions, plus yen weakness, drove the upturn in expenses. The sharp cost pressures in August led to the quickest jump in selling prices for goods and services since the composite data series began nearly two decades ago, Fiddes says. "This indicates that official inflation could rise further in the coming months and, alongside stronger growth, strengthens the case for another Bank of Japan interest-rate hike."