The government on Thursday said damage to infrastructure from the earthquake that rocked central Japan on New Year’s Day may reach a maximum 2.6 trillion yen ($17.6 billion). The magnitude-7.6 earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula in central Japan has added a layer of uncertainty over the economy, amid concerns about the negative effects of aggressive monetary tightening in advanced economies and a Chinese slowdown. “Full attention should be given to the economic impact of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake,” the government said, noting inflation, the conflict in the Middle East and volati…