Japan and the United States are expected to agree that Japan's share of the cost of stationing U.S. troops in the country in the next fiscal year will remain at the current level of about 200 billion yen, according to government sources.
The two governments will hold online talks to finalize negotiations.
Japan's share of the so-called "sympathy budget" is usually reviewed every five years. The current agreement expires this fiscal year, which ends in March.
The two governments have decided to reach a provisional agreement for the next fiscal year and will work out the amount for the remaining four years at a later date, as there is limited time for negotiations before the expiration of the current agreement.
The sympathy budget covers a share of the costs related to the stationing of U.S. troops in Japan, such as staff wages and utility bills.
Negotiations for the new budget hit a snag because the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump demanded a substantial increase in Japan's share. Negotiations were restarted under the new administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, who took office in January.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
